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Virat Kohli’s best years—the golden era from 2014 to 2019—are now a distant memory. Once a batting phenomenon who made chases look effortless and shattered records, Kohli now finds himself struggling for form. At 36 years old, his performances have been far from his dominant best, and with India’s Champions Trophy campaign just days away, questions about his future have started to emerge.
Despite being a legend of the game, Kohli’s recent struggles—including just 190 runs in five Tests in Australia and a lackluster 90-odd runs against New Zealand—have put him under pressure. His return to ODIs against England has been underwhelming as well, missing the first match due to injury and falling for just 5 runs in the second ODI in Cuttack.
With speculation mounting, former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga believes it’s time to stop putting Kohli under the spotlight and let him find his own way.
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“Let Kohli Take His Own Call” – Ranatunga
Speaking to The Telegraph, Ranatunga urged people to allow Kohli the space to make his own decisions about his career and form.
💬 “For a player like Kohli who has scored so many runs, I feel it’s best if that’s left to him. It’s a call that Kohli needs to take, so let him take it. Why always have the spotlight on him? It’s quite unnecessary, I feel. It’s his decision, so let him take that.”
“Seek Help from Legends If Needed”
Ranatunga also suggested that Kohli should consider seeking guidance from Indian cricketing greats, just like he did in 2014 when he consulted Sachin Tendulkar to overcome his poor form during the England tour.
💬 “I think what Kohli needs to do is speak to people like Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, or Rahul Dravid. That’s what he can do. They can certainly help him out,” Ranatunga advised.
Ahead of his Ranji Trophy match for Delhi, Kohli was seen training with former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, signaling his intent to work on his game.
All Eyes on Kohli as Champions Trophy Looms
With Rohit Sharma back in form, smashing 119 in the second ODI, the pressure is now on Kohli to deliver a big innings. India needs their batting icon at his best before the Champions Trophy begins.
As Kohli battles time and expectations, will he find a way back to his peak? Or is this the beginning of a major career transition? Only time will tell.
