"I've never seen something like that from him"- Irfan Pathan says Virat Kohli shouldn't get desperate for runs after his two ducks in Australia ODIs

Virat Kohli returned to India colours in Australia ODIs, after seven months.

Following Indian Cricket Team batter Virat Kohli‘s two consecutive ducks against Australia in the present ODI series, veteran India all-rounder Irfan Pathan advised him to remain patient and trust his skills rather than trying to get runs.

Xavier Bartlett of Australia outwitted Kohli with deft variation in the recent second One-Day International in Adelaide, trapping him leg-before. Kohli’s run-less spell came to an end when Bartlett drew one back sharply, hitting him on the pads after setting him up with some outswingers aiming for the outside off-stump channel.

On the other hand, he was taken off guard when Mitchell Starc drew him into a drive far away from his body in the first ODI in Perth.

“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 and 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 and persistence from selectors till the runs and the right rhythm come. It would be really important. 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, would I be given outside off-stump deliveries? The ball came in a bit, and he tried playing his favorite 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,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel, as per ANI.

This was the first time in his ODI career that Virat Kohli scored back-to-back ducks in the format.

Virat Kohli will get in form in the next game: Irfan Pathan says fans should enjoy Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing

He also instructed Virat Kohli not to become anxious for runs and to wait for the initial single. He also urged fans not to put extra pressure on Kohli and Rohit Sharma and instead to enjoy whatever cricket they play for India, with the hope that they will continue till the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.

“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 favorite format.“

“I appeal to the fans: these two, if they play one year or 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,” Irfan added.

Former India captain Rohit Sharma scored 73 runs off 97 deliveries, including seven boundaries and two maximums. India lost the second one-day international and the series.

“Even though he struggled, this knock would give him more satisfaction than anything else. He was prepared for that struggle. He showcased his fitness too while surviving that run-out attempt. As of late, he has batted at a strike rate of 120-130, but his SR till 60 balls has been around 50. You could feel that a more free-flowing knock would have benefitted India, but this would give him a lot of satisfaction.” Pathan shared his views on Rohit’s knock in Adelaide.

The third and final ODI will be played in Sydney on October 25, Saturday.

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