Parthiv Patel made a huge prediction about Virat Kohli ahead of the Asia Cup 2022, where India takes on Pakistan in their opening game on August 28.
India registered a T20I series victory over West Indies on Saturday, beating Nicholas Pooran’s side in the fourth T20I by 59 runs in Florida. Throughout the series, the Indian team management experimented with the opening combination as Suryakumar Yadav partnered with captain Rohit Sharma at the top.
While the 31-year-old batter failed to make a mark in the first two matches, he produced a match-winning performance in the 3rd T20I with a 76-run knock of just 44 deliveries, taking India to a seven-wicket win.
Virat Kohli Struggled Throughout England Tour In 2022
The likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yuzvendra Chahal were rested for the series. The trio is expected to make a return to the team in the Asia Cup 2022 – scheduled to start on August 27 – and attention will largely be on Virat Kohli due to his dismal outings over the past few months.
Virat Kohli had failed to cross the 20-run mark across all of his last six innings (all formats) in the England tour last month and will be aiming to make a return to run-scoring in the continental tournament later this August.
Virat Kohli scored only 11 and 20 in the 5th Test against England. His poor form continued in T20Is too as he failed to make a mark on his comeback. The batting superstar was out for just 1 off 3 balls in the 2nd T20I and scored 11 off 6 balls in the 3rd T20I before a minor groin strain ruled him out of the 1st ODI. He scored 16 in the 2nd ODI and 17 in the 3rd ODI.
The former India captain missed the entire West Indies tour and has also been excluded from the team for the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe. Virat Kohli was rested for the entire white ball series against West Indies. It has been reported that the BCCI wanted to pick the batter but he insisted on a break, and the board agreed. Virat Kohli would have to wait till the Asia Cup 2022 to return to action as he was rested for the ODIs against Zimbabwe.
Parthiv Patel Thinks Virat Kohli Will Open In Asia Cup 2022
Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel had earlier said that there might be a possibility of Virat Kohli opening the batting in the Asia Cup, and reiterated the claim on Saturday.
After India’s win in the fourth T20I against West Indies, Parthiv Patel, alongside fellow expert Harsha Bhogle and anchor Gaurav Kapur was discussing the opening prospects for India. While all were in agreement that it makes little sense to open with Rishabh Pant in the final T20I, Parthiv Patel stated that he believes Virat Kohli will open when he returns.
“Not for one game only (Rishabh Pant opening). I’m sticking to my word. I think Virat Kohli will open in Asia Cup. I just feel he will,” said the former India wicketkeeper-batter.
Virat Kohli last opened for India in 2021 during a T20I against England and has played 8 matches as an opener in the shortest format so far (international T20s).