Mohammad Kaif has slammed Virat Kohli and his selection calls in recent times. According to the former player, Virat selects players based on their current form and instead of backing out of form players. He further added that inconsistency in the selection process is the main reason behind India’s dismissal record in ICC tournaments under Kohli’s leadership.
Ever since Kohli has taken over the reins of the Indian team, his selection calls have been questioned by experts. Be it the call of leaving out Cheteshwar Pujara from the first Test in England in 2018 or not playing Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane in the first two Tests in South Africa in 2017-18.
Even in the ICC World Cup in 2019, the management was not clear about the number four position.
“There is no clarity in this Indian team and we need to accept it. Virat Kohli doesn’t play this way. He sees who is the most in-form player and picks him in the XI,” Kaif told Sports Tak. “This is Kohli’s way. At the end of the day you need to judge how many trophies he has won as a captain and he hasn’t been able to win an ICC trophy,” he added.
Earlier this year, Virat dropped Shikhar Dhawan from the starting XI after just one match during the T20I series against England. “This team and this management do not give as much importance to past performance. Virat Kohli focuses on what form you are in at the current point. This is why Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan got opportunities. This is why Shikhar Dhawan missed a few games, Rohit Sharma was rested,” Kaif went on to add.