'Why always have the spotlight on him?' - Arjuna Ranatunga comes to aid of under-fire Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has struggled with the bat since his match-winning half-century in the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa. While some experts and fans have started discussing whether Kohli's international career is on the verge of getting over, the legendary Arjuna Ranatunga said that there is no reason to put undue pressure on the former India captain.

Kohli had a disappointing time in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia as he scored just 190 runs from nine innings. He returned to domestic cricket after a long gap but failed to make a mark. After missing the first ODI against England in Nagpur due to a knee problem, Kohli returned for the second match in Cuttack but was dismissed for five runs by Adil Rashid.

Kohli is under a lot of pressure as runs have stopped flowing from his blade. However, Ranatunga asserted that the call on Kohli's future should be left in the hands of the player.

“For a player like Kohli who has scored so much of runs, I feel it’s best if that’s left to him. It’s a call that Kohli needs to take, so let him take it. Why always have the spotlight on him? It’s quite unnecessary I feel. It’s his decision, so let him take that,” said Ranatunga while speaking to the Telegraph.

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Ranatunga also suggested that the Delhi batter should talk to legendary cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, or Rahul Dravid as it can help him rediscover his form.

“I think what Kohli needs to do is speak to people like Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar or a Rahul Dravid. That’s what he can do. They can certainly help him out,” said Ranatunga.

Speaking about Kohli and Rohit Sharma regaining their form, Ranatunga felt it was just a matter of one good knock.

“Given their stature and the kind of batsmen they have been, I feel it’s a matter of one good innings to regain their rhythm. Let’s see,” said Ranatunga.

Rohit scored a brilliant century in the second ODI to end his lean patch with the willow. The onus will be on Kohli when India face England in the third ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 12.