'Can't keep picking a player because of what he has done in past' - Michael Vaughan criticizes Virat Kohli's selection in XI

Former England captain Michael Vaughan feels that concerns over Indian star Virat Kohli’s place in the team is increasing and have further escalated after the second T20I between England and India in the ongoing series. Vaughan opined that a player cannot be picked simply because of what they have done in the past.

The former England captain feels that Kohli needs to score runs at a good strike rate, adding that if there is any place to score some quick runs and get the form back, it is Trent Bridge, where the third T20I of the series is going to be held.  “He (Virat) needs to score runs at a good strike rate,” Vaughan told Cricbuzz. “I am sure Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma are not considering dropping him. But you can’t just keep picking a player because of what he has done in the past.”

Missing five T20Is against West Indies will be the best thing for Kohli: Michael Vaughan

India will tour West Indies for three ODIs and five T20Is, starting from July 22. Kohli has been rested for the ODI series, while the T20I squad is yet to be announced for the tour. Vaughan believes that the best for Kohli during the Caribbean tour would be to miss the T20I series. “I have been saying he needs a break as it will do him a world of good,” said the former English batter. 

“So missing the five T20Is against West Indies will be the best thing to happen to him. But if there was ever a ground where you could get a quick score with great strike rate, Trent Bridge is the ground to get your form back,” added Vaughan.

In the second T20I in England, he scored 1 run off three balls, before being dismissed by the debutant, Richard Gleeson. Kohli also did not have a good outing in the rescheduled fifth Test match at Edgbaston, scoring 11 and 20 in the two innings. In 2022, he has played three T20Is so far and has scored 70 runs at an average of 23.33 and a strike rate of 122.80. In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, he scored 341 runs in 16 matches at an average of 22.73 and a strike rate of 115.99. He is also going through his longest century drought across formats.