‘We were sidelined and then informed. This should not happen to Kohli’: Harbhajan | Cricket
Seven hundred runs in 12 matches at an average of 70 with seven half-centuries and one century – these are Virat KohliThe no. He was the tournament’s second-highest scorer with 276 runs – five short of Mohammad Rizwan’s 281 – and averaged 92 in the UAE, although India failed to qualify for the final.
Kohli made a stunning comeback in the T20 World Cup in Australia, where he scored 296 runs to lead the charts. This time, this average increased to 98.66. Four half-centuries – including an unbeaten 82 against Pakistan at the MCG – played their part but once again, India faltered and were knocked out in the semi-finals. This was the same guy who was struggling with bat and ball in England a few months ago.
But even as the world celebrated the return of King Kohli, the bigger picture was India’s successive failures to win two major tournaments. As per reports, Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma were told that they were not involved in India’s future T20 plans as the next World Cup was two years away. It was time to kill the young and the logic was sound.
Adding credibility to the reports was the fact that India played eight T20Is since the World Cup but Kohli was not involved in any of those matches. Transparency isn’t Indian cricket’s strong point – Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and even Kapil Dev would all agree – but in Kohli’s case, former spinner Harbhajan Singh wants some clarity from the BCCI and its selectors.
“Look, I don’t know what’s in the selectors’ mind and what they want to do but if we don’t win a big tournament like the World Cup, there is always pressure and the senior players suffer. We suffer. Are.” Saying ‘if established stars don’t win, we can pick youngsters too – we should invest in them’. But as far as Virat is concerned, I don’t think he can be sidelined on the basis of form,” Harbhajan, who is an expert on Star Sports, the official TV broadcaster of IPL 2023, told Hindustan Times.
“Yes, you can definitely talk to them and tell that look we are building a young team, but whatever they want to do, they should tell the seniors. They should not be informed after the decision is taken. “
Kohli and Team India’s next big destination is the World Cup at home six months from now – their best chance to win ICC silverware and end a 10-year wait and the former India skipper’s red-hot form IPL 2023, he’s not throwing in the towel yet. With 364 runs in nine matches – including five fifties – Kohli is once again looking in peak form.
Which is why Harbhajan hopes the BCCI shows some respect for his former captain. Regardless of the decision taken by the selectors, communication should be clear.
“We were first sidelined and then came to know through newspapers. This should not happen with Kohli. A player should be given respect – be it Rohit, Virat or anyone else. Communication is the key. Between players and selectors Healthy relationship because if someone is sidelined and not informed about it, it leaves a sour taste in the mouth of every player.”
