“Don’t see why they can’t apply to Virat Kohli” - When Syed Kirmani called for the star batter to be dropped in 2022
Back in July 2022, former Indian keeper-batter Syed Kirmani suggested Virat Kohli should return to domestic cricket to regain his form. As per Kirmani, the selectors needed to have a tough conversation with Kohli about his place in the side.
The 35-year-old star batter underwent a lean patch from 2020 to 2022, where he failed to convert his starts into a big knock. During his period, he also stepped down from the captaincy across all formats, citing the need to focus on his batting and prolong his career.
In an interaction with India Today, Kirmani opined that Kohli should be dropped from the squad if he failed to deliver consistent performances. As per him, the star batter needed to churn out runs in domestic cricket to prove his worth and make a return to the team. Here's what Kirmani said:
"Obviously, there is so much of competition in this current era. If you are not performing in a few innings, irrespective of however experienced you might be, the selection committee takes a call and says, 'That’s it. Go back to domestic cricket, come back to form and then we will see if we can fit you back into the Indian team'. Don't see why that can't apply to Virat Kohli." [H/t Hindustan Times]
Nevertheless, Virat Kohli broke his three-year century drought later that year against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup. He slammed 122* off 61 to register his first T20I hundred and helped India win by 101 runs.
Virat Kohli had a happy ending to his T20I career
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from the shortest format after India's title-winning run in the 2024 T20 World Cup. After disappointing performances in the group stage and semi-final, Kohli rose to the occasion in the final against South Africa.
The right-hander slammed 76 off 59 balls to drive India's total to 176. The Indian team defended the total, winning by seven runs in a thrilling finish. Along with him, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja also bid farewell to their T20I career.
Interestingly, Sharma (4231) and Kohli (4188) ended as the format's top run-getters.