Virat Kohli, whose centuries have dried up, was rested for the five T20Is against South Africa after the conclusion of the 2022 Indian Premier League. He has not registered an international century for over two years.
HIGHLIGHTS
Virat Kohli hasn't scored a century for over 2 years
Kohli became a victim of first-ball ducks in the IPL
Kohli was sacked as India ODI captain last year
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has questioned Virat Kohli's attitude as the ex-India skipper continues to go through a lean patch.
Kohli, whose centuries have dried up, was rested for the five T20Is against South Africa after the conclusion of the 2022 Indian Premier League. During the IPL, Kohli became a victim of first-ball ducks as well. The Indian superstar has not registered an international century for over two years.
Afridi questioned whether Kohli is still playing with the same motivation he had during his prime years. The former Pakistan cricketer also asked whether Kohli wants to become No.1 again or is he content with what he has achieved.
"In cricket, attitude matters the most. That is what I talk about the most. Do you have the attitude towards cricket or not? That Kohli, earlier in his career, wanted to be the No. 1 batsman in the world is he still playing cricket with the same motivation? That is the big question," Afridi said on Samaa TV.
"He has the class. But does he really even want to be No. 1 again? Or does he think he has achieved everything in life. Now just relax and pass time? It's all about attitude."Kohli stepped down as T20I captain after India's premature exit from the T20 World Cup 2021. He was then sacked as ODI captain before he relinquished the Test captaincy as well. Kohli was named in the Test squad for the fifth match against England, which is scheduled from July 1-5. India currently lead the Test series 2-1.This is a big opportunity to further strengthen Indian cricket. This will help the BCCI create even stronger infrastructure. The money needs to go to the grassroots. This also allows the board to raise the player fees across age groups and genders. The priority is to increase the salaries of women cricketers. We have already doubled the domestic match fees and the players will start to benefit from that from this season. And I also believe this will get more kids to take up cricket, as it has become a proper career option.
We never had any doubts. The planning for the media rights started two years ago. It was meticulously done. It has been a great year for Indian cricket so far. We have completed the domestic season, have got packed houses back in stadiums, the IPL was wonderfully conducted and now this mega deal. I want to congratulate Disney-Star, Viacom18 and Times Internet for playing a part.First thing first, money can't be related to performances. From the times of Sunil Gavaskar to Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid, the money was nowhere close to what the players get now. But all of them had the hunger to perform. I don't think players will only play for the money. Players play for the stature they get and the pride of representing India. Every player would want to win big international tournaments.
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