The Indian skipper Virat Kohli is one of the best batsmen in the world. With his dedication and hard-work, the cricketer has become the poster-boy of the Indian cricket team. Millions of people all around the world look up to him as the modern legend of the game and wait for his destructive batting and sharp fielding skills whenever he comes out on the field.
However, the skipper is currently going through a tough patch in the international level of this game. Ever since the skipper has arrived in New Zealand for the ongoing tour he has failed to make it big with his batting. Virat failed to perform in both the innings of the first Test match. In his last 21 innings that Virat Kohli played for India, the skipper has failed to reach the three-figure mark.
In fact, it was his failure with the bat that was highlighted and called out as the major reason why Team India couldn’t perform in any of the three ODIs. Since then the cricketer is getting brutally trolled on various social media platforms.
But it has happened to every great batsman who has played the game — from Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, David Warner, Steve Smith to many more of their likes. Also, this isn’t the first time when Virat Kohli has slumped in form. There have been a few times when Virat Kohli couldn’t perform the best of his abilities and was at the receiving end of criticism for the same, however, every time Virat Kohli has bounced back in the form and proved his worth in the team.
Here, in this article we bring you three instances when Virat Kohli wasn’t able to give the best of his abilities but bounced back in form to shut his criticizers, have a look:
1. In 2014:
In the year 2014, Virat Kohli was going through a similar phase. In fact, this year it’s the second time when even after 21 innings Virat isn’t able to reach the three-digit milestone. However, Virat Kohli bounced back after receiving a lot of criticism and gave a few of his way performances of his career.
Playing against Australia at the MCG Melbourne, Virat Kohli posted a mammoth 169 and was a part of a stunning partnership of 262 runs with Ajinkya Rahane. Later he added 54 on the final day to save the match.
In another match, after posting a glittering 115 runs in the first innings, he posted 141 runs against Australia. But despite his efforts, Australia won the match. But Kohli found his lost form and then there was no turning back. He went on to break many records and emerge as the modern legend of this game.
In another brilliant performance, Virat Kohli was too hot to handle in the semifinal of the 2014 World T20 where he smashed, 72 not out in 44 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes, and made India won the semi-final against the Proteas.
2. During Champions Trophy:
Virat Kohli could only amass 308 runs in 10 games in the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League, with the highest score of 64 runs. As the champions league was about to start, Virat Kohli’s poor form was giving many sleepless nights to all the cricket lovers.
However, Virat Kohli was a delight to watch in the Champions Trophy. Though he wasn’t able to convert his performance to three digits, he played crucial knocks as he slowly regained his Midas touch. His best performance was against Bangladesh where he amassed 96 runs off 78 balls, smashing 13 fours.
3. During his courtship with Anushka Sharma:
Virat Kohli’s form had deteriorated when the rumors of him saying Bollywood actress and his now wife Anushka Sharma were making rounds in media. Fans were accusing Anushka Sharma of Virat Kohli’s poor form and were criticizing her presence in the stands highlighting it as a distraction factor for Virat.
But what a comeback he made to shut everyone up with his devastating performances in a couple of matches that made him win important series and games for India.
***
Well, we are a fan of Virat Kohli and not winning Virat Kohli. He knows how to bounce back into form, he has done it before, he will do it again!
