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Published 16:52 IST, September 1st 2023

'He knows what his problem is': World Cup-winner reveals one major issue with India star

Ahead of the IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 clash, Indian batter Virat Kohli will be aiming to continue his dream form against the arch-rivals.

Reported by: Saksham Nagar
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Irfan Pathan, Virat Kohli, Team India. Indian cricket team, Asia Cup 2023
Indian cricket team during IND vs AUS series (Image: AP) | Image: self

Indian cricket team batter Virat Kohli has ruled world cricket for over a decade and has been in stellar form in the last 10 to 11 months. The former Indian skipper has scored 6 international hundreds since September 2022, which includes a ton in the last edition of the Asia Cup. Kohli will once again be on the cricket field in the Indian jersey and play his first ODI match since March 2023 when takes the field against Pakistan on September 2. 

3 things you need to know 

  • The Asia Cup 2023 is being co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka under the hybrid model 
  • Team India will take on Pakistan in an ODI match after 4 years 
  • The last time both teams faced each other in an ODI match was in the 2019 ODI World Cup 

ALSO READ | 'Put him under pressure': Matthew Hayden predicts winner of India vs Pakistan Asia Cup match

Irfan Pathan lauds Virat Kohli for working on his deficiency 

Former Indian cricket team pacer Irfan Pathan while speaking during a discussion on Star Sports praised Indian batter Virat Kohli for working on his problems against spin. Virat was recently witnessed practising against spinners like Varun Chakravarthy, Hrithik Shokeen and Rahul Chahar in the nets. While answering a query on whether Virat Kohli should play big shots against spin, Irfan Pathan said: 

A big player always does like that. He knows what his problem is. His problem is probably against deliveries that pitch and turn away, whether it is a left-arm spinner or a leg-spinner. That is why he was using his feet a lot, using his crease, and trying to play across on the back foot.

ALSO READ | Rohit Sharma on the verge of breaking Tendulkar's MASSIVE milestone in Asia Cup 2023

Irfan Pathan cautions Virat Kohli ahead of India vs Pakistan clash 

Ahead of the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 clash, Irfan Pathan warned Virat Kohli against the biggest problem he will face in Sri Lanka. Pathan said: 

He knows that all the things he is trying in the nets can be useful in the match because of the bowling unit that is there in front of him. It's not only Pakistan, you have to face the spinners of the other teams as well. You have to face the spinners more in Sri Lanka.

The Pakistan cricket team has the likes of spinners like Shadab Khan, who is famous for taking wickets in the middle overs and can also hit the ball very long by coming into bat down the order. 

Kohli nearly scored centuries in every match until 2019. However, there was a lean phase in his international career, wherein the centuries almost dried up from Virat's bat. Kohli, who was once considered as a great player of spin got out to leg spinners like England's Adil Rashid, Australia's Adam Zampa and Pakistan's Shadab Khan. 

The spinners can once again trouble the former Indian captain in the Asia Cup 2023, however, Kohli has tried his best to counter his problem and eyeing his recent form he can score big against Pakistan.

Updated 17:01 IST, September 1st 2023