"If I do everything then what will the others do?" : Virat Kohli

[jeetu]

After India’s 75-run win over England in the third and final T20 international match in Bangalore, Kohli was at the press conference and gave a witty reply to the journalist who questioned his form as an opener.

“In the IPL, I had opened the batting and scored four hundreds. That time, no one said anything. Now when the runs aren’t flowing, it has become a problem"

"I am more happy about that (series) and not worried about my opening slot. If I had made 70 runs in two matches, would you have asked me this question. No, right? So just enjoy the series. It is a nice win for us".

"That time people were saying ‘oh! such a revelation.’ Now I don’t score in two innings. Focus on others as well. There are 10 other players in the team. If I do everything then what will the others do?"

 

[Major]

Loll kohli needs to see what he just said.

Obviously you get critisized when you are not performing.

Or am i missing something here?

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Who is that genius journalist who questioned Kohli's form as opener?

Must be very irritating to answer stupid questions from ignorant people who can't look beyond 2-3 games at a time.

With that being said, Kohli shouldn't get flustered so easily and make passive aggressive comments.

 

[Pollack]

Disgusting to ask questions about failures in just two matches.

 

[bilalmasaud]

at face value seems an arrogant answer but to be fair to kohli that is one stupid question and the journalist should have been made to shut up! standard of journalism in india pakistan is pretty pathetic ... there are some good one and some ridiculous ones in this field there's not much of standard practice .

 

[Ankit007]

Faliure?? Is the journalist really aware of anything?

 

[Stallion__]

Don't blame Kohli for it.

Journalists and reporters in subcontinent take their job for granted. They should do their homework before asking questions.

 

[JattMaula]

Kholi can't stomach failure and just criticism.

 

[street cricketer]

Kholi can't stomach failure and just criticism.

Should have replied in Lala style.

 

[JattMaula]

Should have replied in Lala style.

Lala is the boss. A noob like Kholi can't hope to match him.

 

[street cricketer]

Most of our players are passive aggressive at the press conferences though.

Looks like Kohli has picked it up from Dhoni and Ashwin.

 

[street cricketer]

Superstar syndrome.

Tbf to them some journalists do ask some really stupid questions.

However I don't think they should overdo it.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Journalists need to chill. No need to add undue pressure on the poor guy. He's a terrific player and India certainly do not play very well when Kohli flops so he is absolutely correct, what will the others do if he doesn't go well?!

However, I maintain that Kohli should play at No.3. Your best player should always play at no.3. He will be no less of a player opening, but because of the extra pressure and the psychological thought of "opening" may affect his stats. I expect him to come to No.3 as soon as Sharma returns and that would a good decision.

 

[kingusama92]

Really odd question.

The man's form has been exemplary for years now. He's not a robot who can't fail.

 

[JibranAnsari]

A non issue really , it was all done in good environment.

 

[jnaveen1980]

In one match run out. Got going in other 2 before he perished. It is the shortest format of cricket. So consistency is a rarity which frankly is over-rated. Strike rate is very important. Playing like Root will do more harm than help.

 

[Sherlock]

Thing is Kohli has to open in T20s because India have such a strong middle order with Dhoni/Raina/Yuvraj etc...So if he doesn't open the big hitters below won't get a free-hand later on.

Rahul looks very good but he's more of an orthodox player and doesn't want to smash the ball every ball, which in turn puts pressure on Kohli to start quick. Kohli's opened before so it's not like he doesn't know how to play in that spot. It'd be different if it was the 50-over format but it's the shortest form of the game and that may just be his best sport, if a better opener isn't available.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

He might start to open in ODIs too. Can lose his momentum which is BAD for INDIA.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

He has to open. Good response by Kohli

 

[Pollack]

Opening is the best slot for him in t20. Pant should be one down with raina,yuvraj and dhoni (if the three are in team) to follow in that order.

 

[Tekcirc]

A couple of 20s and unfortunate run out! Failure. Kohli has set the standard so high that we expect a 50+ not out from him in every T20.

 

[Pantani]

Who is that genius journalist who questioned Kohli's form as opener?

Must be very irritating to answer stupid questions from ignorant people who can't look beyond 2-3 games at a time.

With that being said, Kohli shouldn't get flustered so easily and make passive aggressive comments.

Tone matters a lot, if he answered this question with laugh then it's dismissive not passive-aggressive

 

[Bilal7]

Is he cracking under the pressure? Let's see how he goes in the Champions Trophy.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Kohli will drop down to 3 as soon as Rohit returns.

These "failures" are not a surprise to anyone. Rahul takes time to get going which means Kohli needs to be more aggressive at the start than he is used to.

 

[Bilal7]

Kohli will drop down to 3 as soon as Rohit returns.

These "failures" are not a surprise to anyone. Rahul takes time to get going which means Kohli needs to be more aggressive at the start than he is used to.

Who's getting ousted? Raina, UVI and Dhoni are set. Pant is needed if Dhoni won't keep anymore.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

I mean it is pretty true. People expect him to score a fifty at least every single match, and if he doesn't and the fail, the blame goes on him. Sure if he has a few poor wickets, place some blame, but it's Kohli, that rarely if ever happens.

Cricket is a game where even the best of the best fail more than 50% of the time with the bat (if one considers a fifty a success+playing well to the match situation).

 

[Pollack]

Kohli will drop down to 3 as soon as Rohit returns.

These "failures" are not a surprise to anyone. Rahul takes time to get going which means Kohli needs to be more aggressive at the start than he is used to.

I think opening suits him in t20 and kohli knows it actually. Watch him open in IPL every other match now. He likes to build a mini-innings at the start in t20 as well before being more expressive.At one down many times openers set a tempo which he might disturb with his game. In IPL he gets to partner ABD hence he is more expressive throughout the innings.In internationals he has more responsibility.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Who's getting ousted? Raina, UVI and Dhoni are set. Pant is needed if Dhoni won't keep anymore.

Yuvi struggles to get going on any pitch which is not a complete patta so he will be the one Rohit replaces.

T20I team would probably look like

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Dhoni
Raina
Pant / Kedar


Rahul can also be under pressure depending on how he and Pant perform.

 

[Sin Nombre]

I think opening suits him in t20 and kohli knows it actually. Watch him open in IPL every other match now. He likes to build a mini-innings at the start in t20 as well before being more expressive.At one down many times openers set a tempo which he might disturb with his game. In IPL he gets to partner ABD hence he is more expressive throughout the innings.In internationals he has more responsibility.

Kohli can open in T20s as long as his partner is someone who is more explosive from the start like AB or a Pant and inform Rohit. Not with Rahul.

 

[pillionrider]

Yuvi struggles to get going on any pitch which is not a complete patta so he will be the one Rohit replaces.

at Yuvi or Rohit ever facing career problems with Kohli in charge.

Keep hoping.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

at Yuvi or Rohit ever facing career problems with Kohli in charge.

Keep hoping.

Kohli dropped Rohit despite good performances in test cricket after Pujara scored a few tons.

Laughable how you guys come up with these theories.

Looks like now CSK connections will be replaced with RCB and Karnataka connections with Kohli and Kumble in charge.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Tone matters a lot, if he answered this question with laugh then it's dismissive not passive-aggressive

Yeah..someone posted a video where it revealed the tone which was casual and not at all aggressive.

Is he cracking under the pressure? Let's see how he goes in the Champions Trophy.

I felt it was passive aggressive reading the comments but someone posted a video (it was deleted) which showed Kohli was very polite and casual.

 

[R0H1T]

Reminds me of a certain Doorknob who's taken voluntary retirement, I'll be back ~ his motto

 

[Mamoon]

Don't like the idea of Kohli opening. Has to bat at 3 in all formats in my opinion, including Tests.

I might be old fashioned in this regard, but I will play my best batsman at 3 irrespective of the format, conditions and match situation.

 

[Rayyman]

Indian players just need to act like robots in media just like Pakis. No point getting emotional in front of these news channels.

 

[Pantani]

Don't like the idea of Kohli opening. Has to bat at 3 in all formats in my opinion, including Tests.

I might be old fashioned in this regard, but I will play my best batsman at 3 irrespective of the format, conditions and match situation.

He had such fantastic success opening in the IPL though. Kohli's great value is playing long innings and in T20 especially opening the batting provides a better opportunity for that than batting at 3. I don't think we'll see him open in any other format.