Asia Cup 2022: Virat Kohli to use special Gold Wizard quality MRF bat

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli has had a torrid time with the bat in recent times, and his form and place in the team have been highly talked-about in the cricketing world. He was last in action during the India tour of England last month and will take the field again in the Asia Cup 2022 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he will use a special type of bat.

The special Gold Wizard quality bat will be sponsored by the tyre manufacturing company, MRF for the upcoming continental tournament, which is set to take place between August 27 (Saturday) and September 11. The bat is made of luxurious English willow wood, which costs at least INR 22,000 according to patrika.com.

Kohli, at the moment, has had no luck with the bat as he goes through one of the worst phases in his career. Regarded as one of the best batters of the era, the former India captain averages just about 25 across formats with the bat this year in the international circuit, which is the worst in his career for any calendar year. His previous low of 31.80 came in 2008, which was his debut year.

Hope Virat Kohli doesn’t come back to form against Pakistan: Akram

Kohli is also going through his longest century drought, completing over 1000 days without scoring a century for India in any format. His next appearance for India will happen against Pakistan in the Asia Cup on Sunday. Speaking about Kohli’s lean patch, former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram called the criticism from Indian fans “unnecessary”.

“He is one of the greatest of all time, not just in this era. He is still fit as a fiddle. He is still one of the best fielders in the Indian squad. As they say, class is forever, and that is Virat Kohli,” said Akram in a press conference held by Star Sports. “Hope he doesn’t come back to form against Pakistan, but he will come back eventually.”

Akram also spoke about the comparisons between Kohli and Pakistan captain Babar Azam, calling it “natural.” “Babar has been very consistent because he has got the right technique. He is very hungry and very fit. He is still a young captain but is learning very fast,” said Akram. “However, he said that it is too early for Babar to be compared with the Indian batter.”