Rashid Latif, a former Pakistani wicket-keeper plus batsman, says that former India coach Ravi Shastri is to blame for the decline in the form of former Indian captain Virat Kohli. In a conversation with Nauman Naiz on the YouTube channel ‘Caught Behind,’ Latif claimed that he was unsure of Shastri’s eligibility to lead Team India as a coach.
He claimed that Kohli’s selection as captain has not been advantageous. Since a while ago, Kohli has not been playing well. Since 2019, he has failed to hit a single century. In a Test at home against Bangladesh in November 2019, he scored his most recent international century. Under Shastri’s direction, Kohli’s bat has become quieter with the passing year, believes Latif.
The former Pakistani cricketer added that it was improper to substitute Ravi Shastri for a player like Anil Kumble.
“It is because of him (Shastri) that this has happened. In 2019, you sidelined a player like Kumble, and in came Ravi Shastri. Whether he had the accreditation or not, I have no idea.”
“He was a broadcaster. He had no business in coaching. Barring Virat Kohli, I am sure there would have been other people who played a role in getting Shastri in. But that is backfiring now, isn’t it? Had he not become the coach, Kohli would not have gone out of the form,” Latif added.
More on Virat
The fifth and final Test of the series against England has a designated location in Edgbaston. India hopes to win the series for the first time since 2007–08 when the competition begins on July 1. When Kohli returns to England wearing white, all eyes will be on him. It would be appropriate to witness him regain his form and achieve his long-delayed 71st international tonne. Fans would also be interested in the Kohli vs. Anderson matchup, as this battle within a battle has been the topic of conversation since 2014 whenever India and England play a Test series.
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