Following Virat Kohli’s slump that also continued in India’s tour to England and prompted the BCCI selectors to rest him for the West Indies tour, several former cricketers have criticised the board’s decision. Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar also had a similar view, when he discussed the issue briefly on FanCode after the Men in Blue’s victory in the first ODI against West Indies.

It has almost been three years since Kohli scored his last century across all formats, however, Agarkar feels that the decision to drop Kohli is ‘unfair’ and ‘premature’.

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“I am sure there’s a little bit of worry. There’s a lot of talk about ‘Virat Kohli ko replace karlein’, I think it’s not fair,” he said. 

Some players from the bench have delivered impressive performances in the last three years, who can become an alternative to Kohli during the T20 World Cup, set to be organised in Australia later this year. However, Agarkar thinks India will need someone of Kohli’s stature in Australia to deal with pressure situations.

“No doubt that, that’s why I am saying it’s premature,” he said before explaining that India will need an in-form Kohli if they are two wickets down in the upcoming T20 World Cup as he understands how to handle pressure.

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The former Indian bowler remains hopeful of Kohli’s resurgence soon, something that has also been said by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, along with a number of former Indian cricketers.

Agarkar also feels that despite the emergence of new players, Virat Kohli’s spot in the Indian team should remain out of question. The former bowler feels experience of top players is a necessity during World Cup matches and hopes Kohli will manage to get back to form before the 2022 T20 World Cup.

“Once the confidence is there, he will find the Australian conditions the best to bat,” Agarkar concluded.