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.