ENG vs IND: “Don’t think that is an area of concern” – Virat Kohli on Ajinkya Rahane’s inconsistent form

ENG vs IND: “Don’t think that is an area of concern” – Virat Kohli on Ajinkya Rahane’s inconsistent form

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane

Team India skipper Virat Kohli has stated that the current form of his deputy, Ajinkya Rahane is not a concern for them. The 32-year-old stated that the side is right now not thinking about individual performances.

Talking about Ajinkya Rahane’s red-ball cricket form, so, India’s vice-captain hasn’t been in his best touch in the last couple of years. The right-hander averages 27 after playing 12 matches since 2020. In this, he has a brilliant ton during the Melbourne Boxing Day Test against Australia and a half-century against England during this year’s home Test series.

He’s currently playing in the five-match away Test series against England where he, unfortunately, got run out for 7 in the first innings of the maiden game. Meanwhile, Kohli addressed a pre-match virtual press conference where he stated:

“I do not think that is an area of concern. Our basic focus is not to think about where are people individually at the moment. Collectively, how much strength they bring into the team is our focus. As a batting unit, we are looking to perform in difficult conditions so that we are in winning positions and someone is going to put their hand up every game.”

“He is intelligent” – Kohli on Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant

Virat Kohli went on leap praises for the young wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant. The batting great reckoned that Pant is an “intelligent” cricketer and can change the game while taking a few chances. He asserted that the left-hander can shift the momentum towards their side at any point in time.

“He has the capability to carry on and play long innings. He is intelligent – if you are looking to save the test, he will play like that and if the game is 50-50, he will take the chance and change the game.

“That is how he plays and that is who he is. We want him to be that way. From Rishabh, we expect that he plays the innings that changes the momentum of the game and take that balance towards us. He is going to play this way,” he signed off.

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