Former Indian national cricket team player Aakash Chopra has hit out at rumors of Virat Kohli planning to play county cricket ahead of India's Test series against England. He lashed out at people praising the bat for his commitment, saying keyboard warriors should know where and when the matches are taking place.
Indian national cricket team batsman Virat Kohli has been under fire for his poor outings in Test cricket. The right-hander's struggle against those balls outside the off was on display by the Australian national cricket team participants during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
There were reports that Virat Kohli would be playing cricket to prepare for the Test series against England
Kohli, just ahead of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has struggled to score in the home Test season. But he slammed a century in the first Test against the Australian national cricket team and seemed to have found his mojo back, but after that, the same fate befell.
Following his setbacks, there were reports that Kohli would play cricket to prepare for the Test series against England. Many praised the batsman for his commitment as they said the batsman is keen to give his all for the team in the longest format.
Wake up if someone tries to say Virat Kohli will skip IPL and prepare for Tests by playing county – Aakash Chopra
However, Aakash Chopra said that people who praise Kohli for playing county cricket should see when and where the matches are played. He pointed out how the batsman will not be able to play in the county because of the IPL. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:
“There was a report that Virat Kohli will go and play county cricket after the IPL so that he can prepare for the Test series against England. Once this report came out, the keyboard warriors spread the word about his commitment. He would you have to check a bit when and where the matches are taking place”,
“I saw a post from Chandresh Narayanan on X. He asked what you guys are up to and he's right. Eight rounds of county cricket will be over by the time the IPL final is played. Wake up if someone tries to say that Kohli will skip IPL and prepare for Tests by playing county.”
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are scheduled to play the two rounds of the Ranji Trophy
Aakash Chopra further urged Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play in the Ranji Trophy, saying that they did not play in the Duleep Trophy and now that they have a choice, they should play this time. He added:
“However, one thing is certain. The next round of the Ranji Trophy begins on January 23. So, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should play those two runs as the T20I cricket will be going on at that time. you play T20I cricket So you play Ranji Trophy cricket.
“The last time there was a chance to play first-class cricket, they both said, 'We don't need it.' This was the Duleep Trophy, which was organized to prepare you for the long Test season. “