Why Virat Kohli needs to play the ODI series against Zimbabwe?

One can argue that there has been no better batter in ODI cricket than Virat Kohli. Popularly known as the ‘Chase Master,’ the 33-year-old Indian batter has not been at his best and he struggled in the recently concluded ODI series against England.

Kohli scored just 33 runs in two matches against the reigning World champions. He got out in a similar fashion in both games, despite getting off to promising starts.

Now, Virat Kohli has been left out of the entire West Indies tour. This means that he will return to action against Pakistan at the 2022 Asia Cup, which is 40 days from now.

One has to wonder whether a 40-day break could make matters worse for Kohli. Moreover, the stakes will be higher against Pakistan, and Kohli could struggle to score runs again without any sort of match practice.

Playing in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe could be the solution

BCCI have sneaked in a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, which concludes just a week before the Asia Cup opener against Pakistan. The selection committee is expected to name a second string side, with senior members being rested before the marquee event.

However, the committee should strongly consider Kohli for the short three-match tour. The 33-year-old batter needs games in order to rediscover his run-scoring form. Playing against a rather ordinary bowling attack could give him the confidence boost he needs. 

Virat Kohli could score his 71st century against Zimbabwe

Virat Kohli will still earn a month-long rest until the Zimbabwe series. This should be enough to get him in the right frame of mind before a critical three-month period which involves the T20I World Cup.

The star Indian batter could end his century drought against Zimbabwe, which would help him get rid of a mental barrier. Kohli has not scored an international hundred for almost three years, and entering the Asia Cup on the back of his 71st century could completely transform his mindset.

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