Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan said that Virat Kohli needs to find his form in the Asia Cup as he will play a key role for the team in the T20 World Cup 2022.
The talk around Kohli’s form is just increasing day by day. Having scored his last hundred in November 2019 in a Test match against Bangladesh, the right-hander has looked completely out of sorts in recent times and has failed to get going.
He was last seen in action during the England tour but it was a horrendous tour for him as he miserably failed in all the games, including the Edgbaston Test. Since then, he has been rested and will return to the Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022.
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Many have even started to question his place in the side and Asia Cup will be a great platform for him to regain his form and it’s fair to say that he will be under pressure to perform, considering the strong bench strength.
Speaking on Star Sports, Irfan Pathan said that although Asia Cup is important, Kohli will hold the key for India in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia later this year.
"As far as the mind is concerned, what Virat Kohli will be thinking, what kind of mindset he will be coming in with and playing the matches, I think yes, Asia Cup is very, very important but when I look forward to the World Cup, where the pitches will be very, very good in Australia, which he likes, he thrives on Australian pitches, he's done really well," Irfan Pathan said.
Pathan believes that Kohli needs to be in top form in Asia Cup to help India conquer the T20 World Cup.
“So Indian team needs Virat Kohli in top form. He comes back from Asia Cup in top form, I think it's a win-win situation for Virat Kohli and the Indian team. Indian team has so many options, they need to choose from the options.
“Because you need someone going into the World Cup in good form. You cannot not have form in the World Cup. You can't find form in the World Cup. But very, very confident that he will flourish in World Cup,” he said.
With Kohli returning after a break and conditions favouring batters in UAE, it is expected that the right-hander will regain his lost mojo in the Asia Cup 2022.
(Star Sports inputs)
