'He is not out of form' - Rashid Khan feels fans expect Virat Kohli to only score hundreds

Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan and Indian star batter Virat Kohli met at Dubai International Cricket Stadium ahead of the Asia Cup 2022 on August 24, Wednesday. The duo were seen catching up and exchanging a few words for a brief period. Rashid, when asked about Kohli’s current batting form, said that he does not seem to be out of form, judging by the shots he plays.

Rashid went on to say that Kohli is not out of form, only that there is an expectation from the fans of Kohli to score a hundred in every other game. Rashid further said that Kohli did all the hard bit of surviving in the tough periods in Test matches, consequently getting out in the 60s and 60s.

“The kind of shots that he plays, you don’t think he’s out of form at all,” said Rashid during an interview with Sawera Pasha on YouTube. “As per me, he is not out of form. The issue is that there are a lot of expectations from him as people expect him to score a century in every alternate match.”

If it was any other batter, everyone would have said he was in good form: Rashid Khan

“Even when we look at his Test knocks, he did all the hard work and survived during tough periods and has then gotten out in the 50s or 60s. If it was any other batter, everyone would have said that he was in good form. Kohli has set the bar so high that people now want him just to score hundreds,” added the Afghanistan spinner.

Kohli will be next in action on the field in the Asia Cup 2022, which is set to begin on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). And as renowned broadcaster Harsha Bhogle said, the tournament, in some ways, could be an audition for Kohli, who would look to get back in rhythm prior to the T20 World Cup in Australia, which will commence in October.

Rashid said that the Indian batter did not seem too fazed by the criticism and what people were saying during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. “He works very hard, and we are motivated to do the same by looking at him,” said the 23-year-old.