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Ricky Ponting urges Indian team management to 'make life as easy as possible' for Virat Kohli

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There is a threat looming over Virat Kohli’s place in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2022. The batter is going through a lean phase with the bat for almost three years now. Despite the poor form, Kohli is being given a long rope by the selectors and the team management.

The extra chances being given to Kohli are not going down well with many former cricketers. Amidst all the criticism, former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has come out in support of the batting maestro.

Also Read: Syed Kirmani speaks on Virat Kohli’s T20 World Cup chances

Ponting backs Kohli to play the T20 World Cup

Ponting warned India against dropping the 33-year-old for the marquee ICC event.

"I think if I was an opposition captain or an opposition player, I will be fearing playing an Indian team that has Virat Kohli in it, more than I would be one that doesn’t have him in it.

"I know there have been some challenges for him, it’s been a difficult time. But somehow, the best (players) find a way to rebound and respond, and it’s only a matter of time before Virat does that," Ponting said while speaking with Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review.

The former Australian skipper is not in the favor of changing Kohli’s batting position

Further, Ponting pointed out that there will be concerns regarding the contributions of the former Indian skipper. However, he advised the Indian management to persist with the batter as they will be reaping a lot of benefits once he returns to form. 

The veteran also stressed on the importance of giving confidence to Kohli. Ponting believes that the Indian team should not experiment with the batter’s position and should give him a comfortable setup to get back to the form.

"If I was India, I will keep pushing with him, because I know the upside. If they actually get him back confident and playing as well as he can, that upside is better than most. 

“If I was a captain or a coach around the Indian setup, I will be making life as easy as possible for him to feel as comfortable as possible. Moving him around will make him feel that people are worried about him, and he will be more unsettled,” Ponting concluded. 


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Syed Kirmani speaks on Virat Kohli’s T20 World Cup chances

Virat Kohli’s slump in form has become the most talked-about topic in the cricket fraternity. Time and again, former cricketers and cricket analysts have come up with their views regarding the dry patch in the batter’s cricket career. India’s legendary wicketkeeper-batter Syed Kirmani is the latest to join the bandwagon. The veteran has backed Kohli to return back to his form and deliver match-defining performances for ‘Men in Blue’. Virat Kohli to be dropped for the T20 World Cup Kohli is in deep waters due to his forgettable ride during the India tour of England. The 33-year-old failed to score even a single fifty across six innings. In addition, the Delhi-born isn’t playing adequate number of games. He is being given rest time and again from international series. Kohli won’t be travelling to West Indies and Zimbabwe for the white-ball series. However, he is in the scheme of things for the Asia Cup 2022, scheduled in the second-half of August. Also Read: ‘If I had about 20 minutes with him,’ Sunil Gavaskar positive about helping Virat Kohli Kirmani backs Kohli It is believed that Kohli will be racing against time to confirm his place in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2022. However, Kirmani is against the idea of dropping the batting maestro from the shortest format of the game. Virat Kohli has loads of experience. He should be in the T20 World Cup squad. Once Kohli returns to form, he will be unstoppable. He could be a game-changer. A player with Kohli's experience and abilities deserves to be in the World Cup squad," Kirmani said during an interview to Dainik Jagran. Kohli facing tough competition in white-ball cricket Furthermore, the former wicketkeeper admitted that an Indian player would have been dropped if he had a rough patch like Kohli. However, considering records and stature of former Indian skipper, it is understandable to give him a long rope. The 33-year-old is facing tough competition from Deepak Hooda for number three position in white-ball cricket. Hooda delivered some exceptional T20I performances against Ireland. However, Kohli has received backing from skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid. "There is tough competition in the Indian team. Look, if someone else was going through the rough patch that Kohli is, he would have been dropped from the team by now. But I feel that established players should be given the benefit of the doubt," Kirmani added.