“Virat Kohli wanted to win but he was sacked,” ex-Pakistani wicketkeeper Rashid Latif makes staggering claims about the reason behind India’s trophy drought

Rashid Latif felt Kohli did not get the desired team.

“Virat Kohli wanted to win but he was sacked,” ex-Pakistani wicketkeeper Rashid Latif makes staggering claims about the reason behind India’s trophy drought

Virat Kohli (Image via Getty)

The Indian cricket team is undoubtedly one of the top teams in the world. However, the empty trophy cabinet over the last ten years has drawn flak from fans, not just within the country but from all over the globe. While India have managed to reach finals in two out of the nine events played in this duration, a trophy has eluded the Men in Blue since 2013. 

While cricket experts have come up with different theories about the reasons behind India’s elongated search for a trophy, former Pakistani wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has baled it on internal matters. Latif supported his argument by citing Virat Kohli’s sacking as the ODI captain as an example. 

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Latif claimed that Kohli had the vision to win a trophy but his stint was abruptly ended. The former Pakistan player feels that Kohli did not get the desired players and hence failed to yield results. 

“Virat Kohli had a direction and wanted to win, but he was sacked. The team couldn’t perform due to internal issues. They couldn’t perform in ICC tournaments because, maybe, the captain didn’t get the desired players. Or maybe he got it, but they weren’t used,” Latif said on his YouTube channel (via News18). 

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Rashid Latif feels Shikhar Dhawan has been unnecessarily left out

Shikhar Dhawan ICC
Shikhar Dhawan (Image via Getty)

The former Pakistani cricketer also pointed to the top three failing to step up in big matches as one of the reasons behind India’s failures in ICC tournaments. Rashid Latif then took aim at BCCI Selectors for unnecessarily leaving out season opener Shikhar Dhawan and also alleged them of mismanagement.

“The problem begins when the top-3 get dismissed quickly. If the top-3 batters play out the 25-30 overs, they will win easily. Their issue is the top-3 isn’t performing how it used to. They could’ve brought back Shikhar Dhawan. You had made him captain less than a year ago during a tour. You had players, you threw them here and there,” Latif added. 

It is worth mentioning that Dhawan, who has been India’s proven performer in ICC tournaments, has been phased out of the national setup. The left-handed batter was not even considered for the Asian Games.