England’s limited overs skipper Jos Buttler on Thursday(14 July) in the post-match conference backed ‘out of form’ Virat Kohli, saying that the former Indian captain has scored a lot of runs and he doesn’t understand why would someone question that. India and England are in the last leg of India’s tour of England i.e. the three-match ODI series. Yesterday, England won the second ODI by 100 runs levelling the series 1-1.
The struggling Virat Kohli has been the hot topic in the cricketing world. There hasn’t been a popular expert or former player who hasn’t voiced his opinion on this topic. After missing the first match due to a groin injury against England at the Oval, Kohli made his comeback for the team in the second ODI at Lord’s. But his return turned out to be a forgetful one as the batting great got out scoring just 16 runs in 25 balls. He did look good at the start as he smashed three fabulous boundaries to raise the excitement. But it turned out to be what has been his story of late firstly getting a good start and then choking.
Also Read: Brett Lee recalls Virat Kohli’s special gesture for his son Preston
“Virat is a Human and can have a couple of low scores as well.”- Jos Buttler
Speaking during the press conference, Jos Buttler came out in support of Kohli and called him the best player in ODI cricket.
“I suppose in a little way it’s quite refreshing for the rest of us that he (Kohli) is human and he can have a couple of low scores as well, but look he has been one of the best players, if not the best player in ODI cricket in the world. So, he’s been a fantastic player for so many years and all batters, it just proves, go through runs of form where they don’t perform as well as they can do sometimes,”
Jos Buttler said.
Buttler said that Kohli’s record speaks for itself and he does not understand why would someone question that.
“But certainly, as an opposition captain, you know a player of that class is always due, so you’re hoping that it doesn’t come against us. Yeah, incredibly surprised, as I said, his record speaks for himself. The matches he’s won for India and yeah, why would you question that,”
Buttler Added.
The wait for Virat’s 71st century is still on and the batting great string of low scores has been a growing concern lately. Kohli scored his last international ton in November 2019. He will have a couple of series in future to prove his worth but even then if the run drought doesn’t come to a cessation it would be really hard for the people backing him now to keep his position intact in the Indian squad.
He will be next seen in action during the third ODI against England and would be hoping to return to form. The right-hander has been rested from the upcoming ODI and T20I series against West Indies, beginning July 22.
