Legendary India captain Kapil Dev believes that Virat Kohli should focus on regaining his rhythm for the upcoming Brisbane Test against Australia, rather than seeking advice. Despite showing promising form with a century in the second innings in Perth, Kohli faced challenges in Adelaide where he struggled against the pink ball and succumbed to the Australian pacers' strategy of exploiting his weakness outside the off-stump. Kohli was dismissed for low scores of 7 and 11 in Adelaide after edging balls behind the stumps. Dev emphasizes the importance of Kohli finding his rhythm and getting back into form ahead of the crucial Test match.
It has not been a very fruitful year for Kohli as a batter this year across all formats. He has scored 611 runs in 21 matches to his name, averaging 22.62 with a sole century and two fifties.
1983 WC-winning skipper rated Kohli as one of the top four batters to play for India and said it's up to him how to get over this rough patch.
"Virat Kohli is one of the best cricketers we have seen in our country. If you put top four batsmen, he will be there. If he is going through a rough time, it is only up to him how fast he can bounce back," Kapil told reporters while speaking about the Indian superstar.
The 36-year-old endured a rough patch in India's recent home Test season, scoring just a half-century in five matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand. He scored just 373 runs in the Test this year, averaging just 26.64.
Should Bumrah replace Rohit as captain?In Rohit’s absence, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah had led India to a 295-run in Perth.
Asked if Bumrah is shaping up well to take over the reins from Rohit, Kapil said: "I think it is too early to talk about that. With one performance, you can't say he is the best, and with one bad performance, you can't say he doesn't deserve it.
"Let a player play a lot of cricket, take on a lot of captaincy. Ups and downs will come, and then you judge a person by how he reacts in difficult times, not in good times. In good times, we don't have to judge. When he is down and out..."
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