Xtra Time Web Desk: Former India captain and legendary all rounder Kapil Dev said he wants to see youngsters who have been performing given opportunity in T20 squad ahead of a struggling Virat Kohli. According to Haryana Hurricane, Indian team management should
utilise those players who are in form, and not go by reputation alone. He added that the team management should be prepared to make tough calls even if it happens to be someone of the stature of Virat Kohli.
“Play in-form players when you have loads of options,” Kapil told ABP News. “You can’t just go by reputation, but you have to look for current form. You can be an established player but that doesn’t mean that you will be given chances even if you fail five games in a row.”
“Yes, there will be a headache, but he will have to perform better,” Kapil said. “If world No. 2 Test bowler Ashwin can be dropped from Test side then your No. 1 batter can also be dropped.
“I hope Kohli scores runs. And if there’s a [selection] challenge after that, it’s a big one. At the moment, Virat Kohli isn’t playing like the Kohli we know, the one that has made him a legend through his performances.
“If he isn’t performing, you can’t continue to keep these boys [youngsters] out. I hope there’s a healthy fight for selection, the youngsters should look to outperform Kohli. But Kohli needs to think, ‘yes at one point I was a big player, but I need to play like that No. 1 player again’. That’s a problem for the team, it’s not a bad problem.”
“Kohli has a lot of ability and talent. You hope such a player comes back. It’s not as if you completely leave him out. If he isn’t performing now, it’s fine [to leave him]. Youngsters are playing well. If you can keep Ashwin out, you can keep anyone out.”