Ricky Ponting, the former captain of Australia, says Virat Kohli should continue to represent India at the international level because he still has the potential to make a significant contribution to the team.
In the IPL this year, Kohli struggled to get runs and even failed to make much of an impact with the bat during the recently finished tour of England. Kohli has not hit a century since November 2019.
Calls to have him removed from Team India have been made, but Ponting, who led Australia to two World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007, thinks the 33-year-old still has that fear factor for the opposing captain or a rival player.
In the most recent episode of The ICC Review, Ponting remarked, "I think if I were an opposition captain or an opposition player, I will be fearing facing an Indian team that has Virat Kohli in it, more than I would be one that doesn't have him in it."
"I am aware that he has faced some difficulties; it has been a trying time. However, whether they were bowlers or batsmen, every great player I have seen in this game has gone through that at some point. The top players always manage to bounce back and respond, and Virat will eventually do the same " he added.
The legendary Australian player thinks Kohli's best national performances have occurred when he has been at peace both on and off the field. He also believes that India's coaching hierarchy needs to work as quickly as possible to restore that belief in its top player.
"The ideal balance for the team still needs to be struck. The team cannot be centred solely on one person. They ought to be looking for fresh approaches to help him get back into the form "Noted Ponting
"That (pushing him up the order) pretty often comes at the expense of someone else as well, since you are shifting someone else around in order to find a position for Virat," the speaker said. In the last few of years, he has played at No. 3 in the IPL and opened the batting for India.
"Moving him will make him feel that people are concerned about him, which will make him feel more uneasy. I'm travelling in the opposite direction. "This is your place, this is where you're hitting, it's not going to change," I'll be telling him. Get back to the thoughts that made you the best player in the world for a number of years; keep believing in yourself, keep working hard, and the runs will come "Added he.
The West Indies series, which begins on July 22, has been postponed, and the former captain of India, Virat Kohli, is expected to return for the Asia Cup.