Virat Kohli is gearing up to return to action in the Asia Cup T20 tournament in the highly anticipated game between India and Pakistan on Sunday after taking a month-long break.
Virat Kohli is set to return to action in the Asia Cup T20 tournament in the much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan on Sunday after taking a month-long break. Having scored an international century in November 2019, Kohli, who took a break during the most recent white-ball tour of the West Indies and Zimbabwe, has experienced a prolonged dry spell. His recent batting slump has prompted concerns over his position in the current Indian lineup.
On English soil, the erratic batsman could only muster 76 runs from six innings across formats, which included the fifth Test, which was rescheduled, two ODIs, and as many T20Is. He has had a difficult year, during which he has also lost his position as India's all-format captain.
Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, has offered his backing to an out-of-sorts Kohli, saying that to compete with the Indian, one must be at the top of his game. “Nothing is easy in life. There are challenges everywhere. It is up to you how you achieve things in life and how you overcome the challenges you face. Virat is still one of the best batters in world cricket," Babar said on the eve of the blockbuster Asia Cup game between India and Pakistan.
"How you compete against a player like him, and that too in different conditions, is very important. Every cricketer, if you ask me, faces ups and downs in their career. It's not that there is only success and no failures. You really need a strong mindset to handle things in life that often do not go in your favour," Babar added.
Earlier, Babar had shared a tweet in support of Kohli as the former India captain continued to struggle during the England tour. “This too shall pass. Stay strong. #ViratKohli,” Babar wrote.
The two players also met recently before India's practice session in Dubai. In a video shared by the BCCI, Kohli was seen exchanging pleasantries with the Pakistan star.
Babar said that the upcoming Indo-Pak match wouldn't be as one-sided as the previous encounter, which took place 10 months earlier in 2021. The most recent match between the two countries took place there during the T20 World Cup, which Pakistan won by a margin of 10 wickets.
"Honestly, that game is a thing of the past now. It won't have an impact on Sunday's match. I am completely focused on tomorrow's game. The teams are kind of different, the conditions are different. Although as a side we are confident, we won't talk big ahead of the game. We wish to prove it on the field. As a captain, I am ready to give my 100 per cent," he said.
"Every cricket lover around the world waits for this clash. We, as cricketers also enjoy taking part in it. Both the teams try their best to keep their respective fans happy."
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