Watch: When Virat Kohli laughed off ‘will you drop Rohit Sharma’ question

Rohit Sharma, India’s current all-format captain, has time and again backed out-of-form star Virat Kohli. After the second ODI vs England, the 35-year-old looked agitated as he interrupted a journalist even before he could complete his question on Kohli’s poor run of form.

“Kyun ho rahi hain, yaar. Matlab mujhe samajh mein nahi aata, bhai. (Why is there so much of discussion… I can’t understand this),” the skipper said.

Also read: Virat Kohli to take a month-long break, return for Asia Cup 2022: Report

Kohli had started his innings in the second ODI with two beautiful drives, one on the on-side, that raced for boundaries. However, he soon poked David Willey for a catch to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. He was dismissed for 16 runs off 25 balls. 

“He has played so many matches, over such a long period of time. He is such a great batter, so he does not need reassurance,” Sharma said, further adding that poor form is a ‘part and parcel’ of the game. 

Also read: What if I fall…: Kohli’s ‘perspective’ post ahead of 3rd ODI vs England

Rohit Sharma has time and again backed Kohli. After the T20I series, when asked about the former India captain’s place in the team, his successor said that the team management believes in the 33-year-old.  

“We are building a team, we have a certain thought process. A lot of deliberation goes behind it. There is a lot of thinking behind it. Boys are backed. Boys are given chances. People outside don’t know all these things. It is not important what is going on outside,” Sharma said. 

Also read: Kohliding into misery: How does star batsman recover old touch

Rohit Sharma backing Kohli, takes us to the time when the latter had done it for the former. After India’s T20 World Cup loss against Pakistan last year, Virat Kohli laughed off a question that suggested dropping Sharma from the team. 

Babar Azam’s side had won by 10 wickets. Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck. 

Kohli said, “That’s a very brave question. What do you think, sir? I played the team that I thought was the best. What is your opinion?”

“Will you drop Rohit Sharma from T20 international? Will you drop Rohit Sharma? Do you know what he did in the last game we played? Unbelievable (laughs). Sir, if you want controversy, please tell me before so I can answer accordingly,” he added.

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In T20I series vs England Kohli had scores of 1 and 11, and was also dismissed cheaply in the fifth Test against England. His last century came 950 days ago and now the 33-year-old’s place in the squad is a matter of debate.