Is Virat Kohli saving himself for IPL 2017?
- Brad Hodge feels Kohli is saving himself for IPL and thus did not play the final Test.
- These statements, coming from someone like Hodge is somewhat uncalled for.
FollowVirat Kohli pulling out of the fourth and final Test of the series against Australia was one of the biggest news a couple of days ago. He had earlier stated in the pre-match press conference that he will not be playing the game if he does not gain 100% match fitness and that is exactly what has happened.
However, Australians have other things in their mind it seems as the Gujarat Lions coach Brad Hodge has now alleged Kohli of not playing the game so that he gains fitness ahead of the IPL.
"You'd hope as a sportsman that he's seriously injured. Because if you miss one game of Test match cricket and you're fronting up the next week for RCB [Royal Challengers Bangalore] versus whoever ... you'd be pretty dirty if he didn't front up to a Test match and try and win a valuable series against Australia,” Hodge was quoted telling Fox Sports News' Gameday Live.
The Australians seemed to have launched a scathing attack on Kohli for not playing this Test match. But the reason is unknown? Is it because India, despite not having Kohli, have been right on top of their game? Or is it because they are scared of the fact that Australia will lose the plot eventually in this series-deciding Test in Dharamsala?
"You would think that your captain would get out there and get amongst the fight and get in there. It's happened before. He gets paid a helluva lot of money - so it doesn't matter - but there are certain players who will limp into IPL time, to make sure they get there and perform well because it is an important tournament for everyone around the world,” Hodge added.
"I'm hopeful, as a Gujarat Lions coach, that when we play RCB in a couple of weeks that he's not playing."
These statements, coming from someone like Hodge is somewhat uncalled for. Former Australian cricketers Brad Haddin and Brendon Julian too have criticised Kohli for not playing the final match of the series.
We have witnessed the kind of commitment Kohli has shown in the last few years. Last year, in spite of having seven stitches on his hand, the run-machine went on to score a century for his IPL franchise –Royal Challengers Bangalore, in one of the matches. In this ongoing series, Kohli came out to bat with an injured shoulder in the 3rd Test in Ranchi as India needed him.
Therefore, dear Australians, we request you not to go overboard with this Virat Kohli conundrum!
