Champions Trophy 2025: Shoaib Akhtar’s Statement on Virat Kohli
The form of Indian captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli has become a major concern for Team India. Both players struggled in the recently concluded Test series against Australia. While Kohli managed to score a century in the Perth Test, he failed to deliver any significant innings in the remaining four matches. With the Champions Trophy 2025 around the corner, the pressure is mounting on Team India.
What Advice Did Shoaib Akhtar Give to Team India?
According to former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, it is nearly impossible for the Indian team to win the Champions Trophy without the contributions of legends like Rohit and Kohli. In an interview, Akhtar offered a light-hearted yet insightful suggestion for reviving Kohli’s form.
He remarked, “If you want to wake up Virat Kohli, tell him there is a match against Pakistan. He will wake up. Look at the innings he played in Melbourne in 2022. Many players who are out of form regain their touch in such matches.”
Kohli’s Record Against Pakistan
Shoaib Akhtar referred to Kohli’s unforgettable performance against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup, where he scored an unbeaten 82 in Melbourne, leading India to a remarkable victory. Akhtar emphasized that matches against arch-rivals like Pakistan often bring out the best in players like Kohli.
Expectations for the Champions Trophy 2025
Akhtar also commented on Pakistan’s star batsman Babar Azam, who has also been struggling with form. He expressed hope that both Babar and Kohli would perform well in the Champions Trophy, making the matches thrilling for cricket fans.
The “Rawalpindi Express” added, “I hope Babar Azam shows his brilliance and scores runs for Pakistan, while Virat Kohli does the same for India. A tight match between the two teams would be an absolute delight to watch.”
