Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu says India will want the expertise of Virat Kohli within the upcoming five-match Take a look at collection towards England, beginning June 20, and has requested the star Indian batter to rethink his determination to retire from Take a look at cricket. As TimesofIndia.com had reported, Virat Kohli reached out to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and stated he wished to name it a day within the longest format.Nevertheless, Navjot Singh Sidhu believes Virat Kohli’s timing to step away from the red-ball format is just not appropriate.“Virat Kohli’s determination — that he desires to retire — has created a stir throughout the cricketing world. His intention is true, his motive is noble — that ‘the previous order should change, yielding place to the brand new.’ However the timing and event will not be applicable, as a result of the delight and status of India are on the road,” Sidhu stated in video posted on X.
“We’re heading right into a tour that’s the hardest litmus check even for different Take a look at-playing nations. Why do I say that Kohli will be our ‘knight in shining armor’ in England? As a result of he has the expertise, particularly after Rohit Sharma’s departure. You possibly can’t ship an inexperienced facet to England,” he added.Sidhu additionally cited the instance of legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who performed for India beneath a excessive fever in a vital fixture throughout the 1987 ODI World Cup. Who’s that IPL player?“Within the 1987 ODI World Cup, which was my debut event, Sunil Gavaskar was down with a excessive fever. Captain Kapil Dev requested Gavaskar whether or not he was match, and the reply got here, ‘skip 50-50.’ Kapil Dev, with a smile on his face, stated, ‘Sunil Gavaskar at 50 % is a lot better than anybody on this world at 100%. The identical goes for Virat Kohli,” he stated.“He ought to be India’s stop-gap captain for the subsequent six and 7 months and lead India from the entrance,” he added. If Virat certainly retires, it could mark the top of an illustrious Take a look at profession of 14 years, throughout which he made 9,230 runs in 123 Checks at a median of 46.85, with 30 centuries. He’s additionally India’s most profitable Take a look at captain ever, having received 40 out of 68 Checks with the armband.
