As Team India gears up for the eagerly awaited Test series against Bangladesh, former cricket star Suresh Raina has thrown his weight behind Virat Kohli. Virat Kohli, making his return to Test cricket after a brief hiatus, is expected to be the centerpiece of India’s batting lineup. Raina’s endorsement comes at a crucial time, with Kohli last donning the whites in January 2024.
Firstly, Virat Kohli took a break during the five-match series against England to be with his family for the birth of his second child. Now, as he steps back onto the pitch, all eyes will be on him. Raina, speaking to IANS, emphasized Kohli’s passion for the Test format. “He loves Test matches and gives a lot of respect to them,” Raina noted, underscoring Kohli’s dedication to the longest form of cricket.
Virat Kohli a key figure in Indian cricket history as an inspiration
Virat Kohli is a top-ranked batsman in international cricket. He is the number one ranked batsman in ODIs and is among the top five in Tests. This high ranking comes with a lot of responsibilities and expectations. Virat Kohli is expected to perform consistently at the highest level, and this requires a lot of focus and preparation. Playing domestic cricket might distract him from his international duties.
Virat Kohli has been captaining the Indian cricket team for several years now. Captaining a team is a demanding job that requires a lot of time and energy. Virat Kohli has to manage the team, make strategic decisions, and lead by example. This leaves him with little time to focus on his own game and participate in domestic cricket.
However, Kohli’s absence from domestic cricket has its disadvantages. Domestic cricket provides a platform for players to hone their skills, experiment with new techniques, and regain form. It also provides an opportunity for players to prove their fitness and form to the selectors. Kohli’s absence from domestic cricket might have deprived him of these opportunities.
Moreover, playing domestic cricket would have allowed Kohli to share his experience and knowledge with the younger players. Domestic cricket is a breeding ground for future stars, and Kohli’s presence would have been beneficial for the development of these players.
Virat Kohli, one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era, has been absent from domestic cricket for a significant period of time. The last time Virat Kohli played a domestic List A game was in February 2010, almost 14 years ago. This is a surprising fact considering the importance of domestic cricket in the development and maintenance of a cricketer’s skills.
Virat Kohli’s absence from domestic cricket can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, as a senior member of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli has a busy international schedule. The Indian cricket team plays a lot of cricket throughout the year, and Virat Kohli is an integral part of the team. This leaves him with little time to participate in domestic cricket.
Moreover, Suresh Raina highlighted Kohli’s exceptional record and his ability to perform under pressure. “Virat thrives under pressure,” he said, predicting that Kohli will be at the heart of the action throughout this Test cycle. Leading up to the World Test Championship (WTC), India is slated to play around 10 matches. Raina believes this phase will see Kohli amassing a significant number of runs.
Suresh Raina Backs Virat Kohli for Big Runs in 2 match series vs Bangladesh
Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has earmarked Virat Kohli to score heavily in the next 10 red-ball matches leading up to the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The retired cricketer observed that Kohli loves playing the longest format and will treat it accordingly.
The former Indian captain had missed the entire Test series against England earlier this year at home owing to him and his wife expecting their second child. He last played a red-ball game for India during the South Africa tour and will be keen to get back in the runs. The former left-hander Raina recently said that the focus will firmly be on Kohli, who will mark his return to red-ball cricket after a significant period. He told IANS:
“Rohit is a fantastic captain and he proved it when the Indian team lifted the T20 World Cup Trophy. But the focus will be on Virat Kohli’s return to Red-ball cricket. He loves Test matches and gives a lot of respect to them. Leading to the WTC, India will play around 10 matches and I believe Virat will score a hell of runs in this Test cycle.”
Rohit Sharma and his men have a considerable number of Test matches coming over the next few months. After the two Tests against Bangladesh, India will host New Zealand for three more games before traveling Down Under for a marquee five-game series.
Virat Kohli thrives under pressure exclaims Raina
Raina observed that the 35-year-old likes pressure situations and backs him to produce the goods against Bangladesh’s promising pacers. The 37-year-old added:
“Virat thrives under pressure, and this whole Test season will see him at the centre of action. Bangladesh has strong pacers, but Kohli has shown his prowess against bowlers like Haris Rauf. Challenges boost him, and I expect him to shine.”
Virat Kohli has strong numbers against Bangladesh in Tests, averaging 54.63 in six matches, having scored 437 runs. The Indian squad has already touched down in Chennai, beginning their preparations for what promises to be an exciting series opener. The team’s training sessions are in full swing, with Kohli looking to find his rhythm back in the red-ball format.
Suresh Raina’s predictions set a high expectation for Virat Kohli in the forthcoming Tests. Kohli’s return is not just a boost for Team India’s batting but also adds depth to their strategy against Bangladesh. Fans are eager to see if Kohli can indeed turn Raina’s words into reality, making this series not just a contest of cricketing skills but also a stage for Kohli to reaffirm his dominance in Test cricket. As the series unfolds, Kohli’s performance will undoubtedly be a key narrative in India’s quest for supremacy in the Test arena.