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"Form is just a word": Arshdeep Singh defends Virat Kohli after duck, anticipates big runs soon

Akshita Patel

Arshdeep Singh throws support behind Virat Kohli [Source: @Vimalwa, @Crex_live/X.com]Arshdeep Singh throws support behind Virat Kohli [Source: @Vimalwa, @Crex_live/X.com]

India’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has thrown his full support behind veteran star Virat Kohli to regain form. This comes after the batting legend failed to score in the first ODI against Australia at Perth.

Kohli, who returned to the ODI side after a 7-month-long international break, was dismissed on an 8-ball duck as India stumbled to 136/9 in a rain-hit contest at Optus Stadium. 

Australia cruised to a seven-wicket victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. 

Arshdeep Singh shuts down Virat Kohli’s critics

Despite Virat Kohli’s eight-ball duck, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, in post-match press conference, expressed complete confidence that India’s batting great will roar back to form in the remaining two matches of the series. 

“He [Kohli] has played more than 300 matches for India, so form is just a word for him. He knows how to get going. It is always like a blessing to be in the same dressing room with him, and going forward, I feel there’ll be a lot of runs for him in this series," Arshdeep said.

The pacer added that for a man who played more than 300 ODIs, 'form' is just a word and there’s nothing to worry about.

"We are talking about the format he is playing, he has mastered this one. So I don’t know how he feels about it. I will ask him about his feelings, and maybe tell you in the next press conference," he added.

Virat Kohli paid a big price for his early dismissal, as his ODI average in Australia came down to 49.14. Apart from him, former captain Rohit Sharma could also score only 8 runs, drawing criticism from fans and critics.

Arshdeep blames rain interruptions for Perth ODI loss

The first ODI between India and Australia at Perth was severely impacted by rain. In the first inning itself, 3-4 interruptions broke India’s rhythm with the bat as they scored only 136 runs.

Arshdeep Singh also believed that the constant rain interruptions played a big role in India’s struggles with the bat.

“If you spend time on this wicket, then the runs were coming, but it was very important to spend time on the wicket, whoever was set. We saw the partnership between KL and Axar. But with frequent stoppages, it became very difficult for the batter to maintain concentration. And the credit also goes to Australian bowlers. They bowled in very good areas, they got a lot of help from the wicket."

Now, the second ODI will be held at the Adelaide Oval on October 23.