Ishant Sharma has given an honest assessment of Virat Kohli’s lack of runs in Test cricket in recent times. Ishant sent a blunt message about the need to have Kohli in between the runs, stating that even the junior players in the team would question him if he didn’t get them.
July 14, 2023 | 06:13 PM IST
Ishant Sharma gave his honest opinion on Virat Kohli’s form
Photo: PTI
Key highlights
- Ishant Sharma opens up about Virat Kohli’s lack of Test runs
- Ishaan and Kohli are close friends
- Ishant will make his commentary debut against West Indies
Not only do Ishant Sharma and Virat Kohli share their journey of playing nearly 100 Test matches for India, they have known each other from a very young age, having played together for the Delhi Ranji team and earlier in age group cricket.
It’s no secret that Kohli and Ishant share a very close bond. Hailing from the same city, the two are closest friends in the Indian team. One of the greatest Indian pacers of all time, Ishath, who has been out of the national team for over a year now, has taken on a new role in the ongoing India-West Indies series as he appeared in the commentator’s box.
Ishant impressed the fans as he made his debut behind the mic and gave candid comments about Kohli’s lack of runs in Test cricket in recent times. Since the start of 2020, Kohli has averaged under 30 in the longest format and has added a ton to his name. Kohli’s last century outside Asia was in December 2018.
Ishant didn’t mince his words and sent a sharp message to Kohli, stating that the best way to help the youngsters is to score his own runs. The 34-year-old expressed confidence that Kohli will also be involved in the runs in the West Indies.
“The most important thing is that if you are a senior player, you have to score your own runs first, otherwise the juniors will ask what’s the use of you being a senior,” Ishant said on Jio Cinema.
“However, I know that Virat Kohli will definitely score runs because of the mental frame and batting style he is in at present,” he added.
Kohli is batting unbeaten on 34 at the end of the second day of the first Test and India are heading for a big win.