“Irfan Pathan Breaks Silence: Virat Kohli’s Test Struggles and the Need for Change”

‘The Only Issue with Him…’: Virat Kohli’s Ex-Teammate Speaks Candidly on Past Remarks

Virat Kohli’s sudden retirement from Test cricket took the sporting world by surprise, particularly as it came just before the recent tour of England. This decision coincided with a noticeable decline in Kohli’s performance, marked by a dwindling average and fewer standout displays.

In the later stages of his career, Kohli faced sharp criticism for his inconsistent performances, leading many to question why he repeatedly fell prey to the same dismissals and struggled to keep pace with his contemporaries, who were still thriving.

Irfan Pathan, a former teammate, shared his honest perspective, acknowledging that such questions about Kohli’s performance were warranted. He noted that supporting a player who has been underperforming for an extended period could complicate matters.

“Virat experienced a slump between 2019 and 2020. If you look at my social media from that time, I was very supportive of him. When a great player encounters their first slump, they deserve backing because they’ve contributed significantly to the team’s success. However, if this slump extends over five years, it becomes a concern. Ultimately, the team’s interests must come first,” Pathan told Lallantop in an interview.

Kohli’s struggles over the past five to six years have notably impacted his batting average, allowing players like Joe Root and Steven Smith to surpass him. While discussions of retirement weren’t widespread, the criticism he faced prompted Kohli to consider paving the way for the next generation.

Pathan remarked that once Kohli recognized he could no longer pose the same challenges to opposing bowlers, he understood his career was approaching its end.

“When a player keeps getting out in the same fashion, the opposing team won’t need to devise new strategies; they’ll rely on their initial plan. A champion player should be able to adapt and take the game from Plan A to Plan B,” Pathan explained.

“The issue with Virat in Test cricket was his recurring dismissals. This doesn’t diminish his status as a great player, but it’s an undeniable reality that needs to be addressed,” he concluded.