IND vs PAK 2022: “I feel Virat Kohli will be back in form” - Danish Kaneria’s big prediction on Indian batter ahead of Asia Cup 2022 clash against Pakistan
Former Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria feels Virat Kohli will return to form in the high-voltage India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2022 clash in Dubai on Sunday (August 28).
Kohli, who skipped the white-ball tours of the West Indies and Zimbabwe following a poor series in England, will return to international cricket today. The much-hyped game will also be Kohli’s 100 T20I.
Previewing the match, Kaneria backed the former Indian captain to return to form. While speaking on his YouTube channel, he said:
“I feel Virat Kohli will be back in form and will reach the heights of old. Remember, it’s a big game, so it is all the more important for Kohli to go out and hit peak form again. I just think that he will do the same.”
Kohli was in the news on Saturday (August 27) when it was revealed during an interview that he felt mentally down while going through a lean patch. Speaking to Star Sports, he admitted:
“For the first time in 10 years, I didn’t touch my bat for a month. I came to the realization that I was trying to fake my intensity a bit recently. I was convincing myself that no, you had the intensity. But your body was telling you to stop. The mind was telling me to take a break and step back.
“I’m looked at as a guy who is mentally very strong and I am. But everyone has a limit and you need to recognize that limit, otherwise, things can get unhealthy for you.”
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The 33-year-old recently completed 1000 days without an international hundred. His last ton came against Bangladesh in Kolkata during the pink-ball Test in November 2019.
“Suryakumar Yadav can have a very good game” - Danish Kaneria picks key players in India-Pakistan contest
According to Kaneria, apart from Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav will also be key to India’s fortunes, while Muhammad Rizwan’s performance will be crucial for Pakistan. He said:
“Considering the kind of form he is in, Suryakumar Yadav can be expected to have a very good game. Speaking of Pakistan, Rizwan will be a key factor. He will be the X factor for Pakistan team.”
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Suryakumar has played 23 T20Is for India, scoring 672 runs at an average of 37.33 and a strike rate of 175.45. Rizwan, meanwhile, has 1662 runs from 56 T20Is at an average of 50.36 and a strike rate of 128.83.