'It doesn't matter a lot' - Rohit Sharma on Virat Kohli’s poor form

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has been going through a lean patch for nearly three years now. After failing in the rescheduled fifth and final Test, he also was unable to do well in the T20I series. 

For the second game in a row, Virat Kohli started to bat with an aggressive mindset. After lofting David Willey over mid-wicket for a boundary and straight back over his head for a six, he tried to continue with his attacking approach, but he was dismissed for a 6-ball 11. 

In Birmingham, Kohli came to bat, with India going from 61/1 at the start of the PowerPlay to 89/5. Here in Nottingham, Kohli's dismissal happened in the PowerPlay, which saw the team reduced to 31/3 in five overs.

However, Rohit Sharma said that Kohli's high-risk approach was also part of the team's new blueprint for batting. Sharma has also confirmed that Kohli's intent was both a personal decision of the batter and one based on the team's requirement, and his early dismissal in both games was acceptable as per the new batting approach.

"It's a bit of both, you know. We, as a team, want to play in a certain way, and every player needs to buy into that thought process; otherwise, you know, it's not gonna happen for you," Rohit Sharma said in his post-match press conference at Trent Bridge on Sunday (July 10). 

"And all the batters who are part of this squad are willing to take that extra risk and go and see what extra they can do with the bat. You know, it's important to find out within yourself, to try and do different kinds of things, and unless you try it, you will never be able to find out. So I think it is something that we've been trying to do for a while now."

Virat Kohli is trying to adapt to a new role as the team is preparing for the World Cup, which will take place in just over three months. Moreover, former India captain Kapil Dev recently questioned his selection in the team, who also asked the selectors to play in-form players and "not just go by reputation."

However, Sharma labelled these criticisms as outside noise and backed Kohli, stating that the quality of the player is more important than the recent form. Kohli is undoubtedly one of the best batters of his generation.

"It's not difficult at all for us because we don't listen to outside noise. Also, I don't know who these experts are and why they're called experts. I don't get that," Rohit said. 

"They are seeing from outside, they don't know what's happening inside the team. We have a thought process, we make the team, we debate and discuss it and think a lot about it. The players [we pick] are backed, they are given opportunities. People on the outside don't know about it. So it's more important about what's happening within our team, that's important for me."

"Also, if you are talking about form, it goes up and down for everyone. The quality of the player doesn't go bad. We should always keep in mind when such comments are passed around. We're backing that quality. It's happened with me, it's happened with XYZ. There's nothing new. When a player has done well so consistently, then 1-2 bad series, it [his contribution] shouldn't be forgotten. It might take time for some to understand. But for us, inside and running the team, we know the importance. I'll request those on the outside, yes you have all the right to talk about it, but for us, it doesn't matter a lot."

Team India lost the final T20I of the series in Nottingham by 17 runs. But they have already won the series and registered their fourth straight T20I series win over England. Both teams will now play a three-match ODI series starting July 12.