IND vs WI 2022: Virat Kohli’s form crucial to India’s success – Ajit Agarkar

Former Indian fast bowler Ajit Agarkar reckons Virat Kohli’s form is crucial to India’s success in the T20I format.

Agarkar heaped praise on Kohli’s consistency with the bat when he was the captain of the team. The former pacer stated that Kohli’s form never faltered when he had the extra responsibility of captaincy.

Kohli has been a consistent performer for the Indian team in all three forms of the game over the years but he has been out of runs as per his own lofty standards. Kohli had a dry run in the ODI series against West Indies as he could only muster 26 runs in three matches.

In fact, Kohli had last scored an International century back in 2019 and since then the wait for his 71st hundred has not ended.

“I think one of the top things about Virat Kohli, when he was captain was, that he didn’t let his form falter. His runs didn’t dry up with the extra pressure that can happen sometimes – that didn’t happen with him which was his greatness as a captain as well,” Agarkar told Star Sports show Game Plan.

“So, now that the captaincy pressure is off there might still be a role for him whether that’s to play a bit more aggressively or still bat the whole innings and the other guys bat around him and bat more aggressively.

“I think that’s for the team management to decide, but Virat Kohli’s runs are so crucial for India – every time he scores runs India invariably ends up winning. So, his form is crucial to India’s success as well,” the former pacer added.

There is no doubt that Virat Kohli is a pivotal cog in India’s wheel in all three forms of the game and it is imperative for the team that he bats at the top of his game. However, it has been noticed that the talisman hasn’t had the rub of the green on his side in the recent past.

Kohli will look to deliver the goods for the team as a batter in the upcoming T20I series against West Indies. The first T20I will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Wednesday.