Virat Kohli’s time has gone: Former England cricketer on India star’s future

Former England cricketer David Lloyd has made a massive statement on the Test future of the star India batter Virat Kohli, saying that his time is over.

Kohli has been going through poor form in the longest format in recent times as he didn’t have memorable outings in the recent Test season. The former India captain did score a hundred in the first Test against Australia in Perth but failed to continue his form as his weakness outside off stump was exploited by the Australian bowlers.

Following his prolonged poor form, questions have been raised about Kohli’s place in the Indian Test team. Recently, Lloyd shared his views on Kohli’s poor run and said that the India batter is past his best. He also commented on his weakness outside off stump and said that once he comes to England, he will be once again targeted in that area.

“Virat Kohli knows he is past his best and that will hurt. When India come to England, you know where he’s going to be. Just outside off stump, and the business area will be the slips. At 36 years of age, up in the mind, he knows what he should be doing. Your reflexes gently go. Ponting said he carried on a bit longer than he usually would have. The selectors should know. He is one of the greatest players we have seen but is past his best. The coach Gautam Gambhir will have an enormous say, a big say, because he has been in that dressing room. He has lost time. His time is over,” Lloyd told talkSport Cricket.

Furthermore, Lloyd said that Kohli has run out of time, mentioning his weakening reflexes and reaction time.

Kohli’s time’s gone,it comes with age: Lloyd
“The one thing when you talk about great cricketers, that the rest haven’t, is time. He has lost time. It’s gone. His time’s gone. It comes with age. Everyone tells you what you need to be doing. Stuff like ‘leave the ball’ watch it till the end. But it’s gone. These are great international bowlers. If it’s a repetitive way of getting out – in Test match you know there’s going to be a bank of slips’. If you keep nicking off, it’s a tell-tell sign for anybody that reflexes and reaction time is gone,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kohli has been named in probables for Delhi’s Ranji Trophy squad. However, India Today has learnt that he hasn’t talked to the DDCA nor has the association contacted him. Apart from him, Rishabh Pant and Harshit Rana have also been named in the squad. It remains to be seen whether the India batter decides to play in the domestic tournament after a long gap of 12 years to improve his form.