Mumbai: Former India batsman Suresh Raina has stated that Virat Kohli needs to be given more time as a captain to get into his groove. Despite being the best batsman in the world, Kohli’s captaincy credentials have been put in question severely, and more so after India lost the World Test Championship final to New Zealand.
For the record, India have now lost three major consecutive ICC titles under Kohli’s captaincy. “I think he has been the No. 1 captain. His record proves tKohlihat he has achieved a lot. I think he is the No. 1 batsman in the world. You’re talking about an ICC trophy but he hasn’t even won an IPL yet,” Raina, who retired from international cricket last year told News24Sports.
“I feel that he needs to be given some time. There are 2-3 World Cups taking place one after the other – two T20 World Cups and then the 50-over World Cup. It’s not easy to reach the final – sometimes you miss out on a few things.”
Raina also pointed out that India lost the WTC final, not due to conditions but because the batsmen could not perform well. He felt that seniors needed to have shown a little more responsibility.
“The WTC final was one such example. People said it was because of the conditions but I feel there was something lacking in batting. The bigger batsmen will have to stitch partnerships and take responsibilities,” the 34-year-old added.
Following India’s eight-wicket defeat, netizens were quick to take the daggers out and lash out at Kohli and his team by calling them the ‘Choker of the Decade.’ Raina stated that having already won three World Cups, India don’t deserve to be given derogatory names.
“See, we are not chokers, because we already have the 1983 World Cup, 2007 T20 World Cup the then 50-over World Cup in 2011. We need to understand that players are training hard. With three World Cups approaching, I don’t think anyone will call them chokers.
“We need to give them a little more time. They are doing well and Virat has the capability to change the game. We need to respect the new style of this team. But I feel that in the next 12 to 16 months, an ICC trophy is going to come to India,” Raina explained.
