‘Why? Virat Kohli should play whatever cricket’ – Sourav Ganguly lambasts Shoaib Akhtar for his retirement suggestion to Virat Kohli

The modern-day great cricketer and former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli got his form back last year in all three formats of the game. He will be next seen in action in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. We all are aware of Kohli’s contribution at no. 3 in the ODI format and the team will be needed something special from him once again.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan legendary fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar recently talked about Kohli and said that he shouldn’t play more ODI matches after the upcoming ODI World Cup. He believes that Kohli should focus more on the Test format and try to break former legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries.

“I don’t think he should play more 50-overs matches after this World Cup. Also, if you see him in T20s, it takes a lot out of him. I think he should play for at least six more years and break the 100 hundreds record of Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli has it in him to break the record. He should focus on Test cricket after this World Cup, and break this record,” Akhtar was quoted as saying by Times Now.

Sourav Ganguly believes Virat Kohli performs in every format

However, former India captain Sourav Ganguly reacted to Akhtar’s statement about Kohli and said that Kohli should play whatever cricket he wants because he performs in every format. Coming from Ganguly, it was quite surprising for many fans as the relationship between him and Kohli has been bitter-sweet in the past.

“Why? Virat Kohli should play whatever cricket he wants to play. Because he performs,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

India recently lost a 5-match T20I series against West Indies and were criticised by a lot of fans and cricket experts. However, Ganguly has backed the team and have asked the management to give more chances to the youngsters as win and loss is a part of the game.

“Pick your best players. He may be a left-hander or a right-hander. India have outstanding left-handers… they will find a place in the side. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan. Then there is Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya… it’s a terrific side. India is a country where there is an evaluation after every game. They are a good team if they win and become bad after a loss. You have to live with that. It’s part and parcel of the sport,” he said.