English skipper Jos Buttler on Thursday (14th July) backed ‘out of form’ Virat Kohli, saying that the former Indian captain has scored a lot of runs and he doesn’t understand why would someone question that. 

The talk around Kohli’s form is just increasing day by day. After missing the first match due to a groin injury against England at the Oval, Kohli made his comeback for the team in the second ODI at Lord’s. 

But his returning back to the team didn’t change his fortunes as he was yet again dismissed for a low score. He did look good at the start as he smashed three wonderful boundaries to raise the excitement but it turned out to be what has been his story of late as after getting a start, he perishes. 

Kohli scored 16 runs in 25 balls before he chased a good length delivery wide of off from David Willey and only managed an edge to see his side in trouble. 

Speaking during the press conference, Jos Buttler came out in support of Kohli and called him the best player in ODI cricket.

"I suppose in a little way it's quite refreshing for the rest of us that he (Kohli) is human and he can have a couple of low scores as well, but look he has been one of the best players, if not the best player in ODI cricket in the world.

"So, he's been a fantastic player for so many years and all batters, it just proves, go through runs of form where they don't perform as well as they can do sometimes," Jos Buttler said. 

Buttler said that Kohli’s record speaks for itself and he does not understand why would someone question that. 

"But certainly, as an opposition captain, you know a player of that class is always due, so you're hoping that it doesn't come against us. Yeah, incredibly surprised, as I said, his record speaks for himself. The matches he's won for India and yeah, why would you question that," he said. 
 

Notably, Kohli has not been in the best of the form of late, having last scored an international ton in 2019. Many have started to question his place in the Indian side. 

He will be next seen in action during the third ODI against England and would be hoping to return to form. The right-hander has been rested from the upcoming ODI and T20I series against West Indies, beginning July 22.

(NDTV Sports inputs)