Former Pakistan National Cricket Team player Basit Ali has been thrown in to defend the superstars of the Indian National Cricket Team. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli amid heavy criticism.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were slammed left, right and center by fans and pundits after the India Test series A disaster against New Zealand, but Basit Ali didn’t join the trend, instead backing senior cricketers.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have failed in the Test season at home
Rohit and Kohli skipped the Duleep Trophy ahead of the Test series against Bangladesh, even though they knew the competition would give them ideal preparation for the red-ball season.
The unpreparedness of the duo was seen because they could not advance in the matches against “Tigers”. In the two Tests, Rohit Sharma scored just 42 runs at an average of 10.50, while Virat Kohli scored 99 runs at an average of 33.00.
As the action progressed towards the Test series against New Zealand, many expected things to change, but they did not as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggled. In six innings against the Kiwis, Rohit scored 91 runs at an average of 15.16 and a best of 52, while Kohli scored 93 runs at an average of 15.50 and a best of 70.
Also read: Sanjay Manjrekar sensationally orders BCCI to sideline Kohli during Rohit
Cancer cannot be treated with Disprin, it needs chemotherapy – Basit Ali
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Basit went out of his way to defend Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He slammed critics and said they should not turn Rohit and Kohli from heroes to zero after the one Test series defeat. He elaborated:
“Just two or three months ago there was a felicitation ceremony at the same place in Mumbai. Why didn’t you say then that they should give up all three formats now? Cancer can’t be treated with Disprin, you need chemotherapy for that. You people make them zero in a day, but in the past you forget the performances they put on. You people were winning. Ask me, our team was losing to America, Ireland, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.”
Please use some common sense – Basit Ali
Basit Ali further highlighted Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s past heroics and said fans should use their brains and not go crazy criticizing the duo. He said:
“You lost 3-0 so people are angry. Please use some common sense. This is the same Rohit Sharma who scored runs against England in the 2023 ODI World Cup and Test series. This is the same Virat Kohli who scored 186 in Ahmedabad. Now when he’s not running, you talk. He has seen such a situation before.”
Speaking specifically about Virat Kohli’s inability to fire during the Test season at home, Basit Ali said that in contrast Babar Azamthe Indian superstar was forced to play on turning pitches, making it difficult for them. He claimed:
“Babar Azam took good pitches, Virat Kohli didn’t. He had to play on the roundabouts. Who orders to make such pitches?”
