Delhi: The future of many players is being discussed after losing the home series against New Zealand 0-3 and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3 to Australia. There are reports that Rohit Sharma may say goodbye to Test cricket, and Virat Kohli’s career is also going through a difficult phase.
India’s next Test series is against England in June. Till then India will not play any Test cricket. Looking at Kohli’s current form, he will need a miracle to get back to his old form. In 2024, he scored only 414 runs, that too at an average of 24. In such a situation, at the age of 36, his place in the team is under question.
‘Time is up for them’
But will Kohli be able to do this? Former England cricketer David Lloyd’s answer is clear – no. Lloyd believes that Kohli’s golden days are now behind him.
Lloyd said while talking to talkSPORT Cricket, “Virat Kohli knows that he is past his best phase and this must be hurting him. His weakness will be clearly visible on the England tour – balls outside the off stump and catches in the slips. At 36, in your mind you know what to do, but reaction time and reflexes become slower. This happens with every great player. Time is up for them. Coach Gautam Gambhir will also play a big role in this decision.”
Lloyd further said, “If you are getting out in the same way again and again – especially in the slips – then it is a clear sign that reflexes and timing are running out. Great bowlers will take advantage of this.”
New Dravid, Tendulkar or Ganguly will have to be found
In this period of change, Lloyd has appealed to the BCCI selection committee to focus on new talents for the future. He said, “When the team is in a phase of change, it is important to give opportunities to new players. There is no dearth of talent in India. This is a chance to find a new Dravid, Tendulkar or Ganguly. These big players also came to the team in a similar manner.”
Related News