“He shouldn’t get desperate” - Irfan Pathan’s advice to Virat Kohli ahead of Sydney ODI

Former Indian all-rounder and commentator Irfan Pathan has offered a piece of advice to the Indian talismanic batter Virat Kohli, who suffered two consecutive ducks in the ongoing three-match ODI series against Australia Down Under.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan has reckoned that Kohli’s two consecutive ducks could be because of pressure, rustiness, and a lot more. However, he requested the Indian cricketing fraternity to back the veteran batter ahead of the Sydney ODI, scheduled on Saturday, October 25.

"Virat Kohli, two ducks in two matches, we have not seen it before. It could be because of pressure, rustiness and everything. Whatever chatter is ongoing on social media about these two (Rohit Virat), these two players mustn't get affected by it. No one will play if they don't perform. But they have done wonderful work for India. They need support, persistence from selectors till the runs, the right rhythm does not come. It would be really important,” he said. 

“I know it is difficult since Yashasvi Jaiswal is on the sidelines. It is not easy to play when the sword is hanging over you. I hope this is not in Virat's mind. In the first match, he got out to an outside off-stump delivery. He thought, with three slips in place, whether I would be given outside off-stump deliveries? The ball came in a bit, and he tried playing his favourite flick shot and got beaten there. The gap (between bat and pad) while playing flick was so big, I've never seen something like that from him,” he added.

Furthermore, Pathan felt Kohli looked a bit desperate to go off the strike with a single in the second ODI in Adelaide. The former all-rounder also asserted that ODI is Kohli’s favorite format and hoped he plays the format as much as possible and gets back to his form in the final ODI vs Australia.

"How can Virat get out of it. Virat would want to make sure to get that single and get off strike. But he should not get desperate. I hope for that one single; he would not get desperate and stop enjoying his batting. He has to enjoy his batting. If he does that, he will get more time at the crease, and if he gets runs, he will not look back. ODI is his favourite format. I appeal to the fans: these two, if they play one year, two years more, play the World Cup, or don't play much --no matter how much cricket they play, it is time to enjoy their cricket because they have given Indian cricket so much. We would hope they play as much as possible. Hope Virat gets in form soon in the next match. He can struggle like Rohit did today, but he can also regain his rhythm and showcase his craft gradually. Don't get desperate for that single, runs will come," he concluded.

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