Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has slammed people for criticizing Virat Kohli after his poor performance in the three-match Test series at home against New Zealand. Making a funny comment that doubters can rest in peace now, Jadeja lauded Kohli as a genius. Team India beat Australia by 295 runs in the first Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. After being dismissed for five in the first innings, Kohli scored an unbeaten 100 in the second, bringing up his 30th Test ton as well.

Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of an event on Saturday, November 30, Jadeja said: “The name itself says it all. If there were doubters, they can rest in peace now because geniuses aren’t born overnight. It takes years – it’s the solidity, it’s the perseverance, the commitment that you have seen over 15 years. People start judging sportsmen by one event or by one series. It just shows then that never to judge a genius.”

ALSO READ: “Shubman’s captaincy is very good” – Ravi Bishnoi on Shubman Gill

The veteran also applauded young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has made a stunning start to his career as well. Jaiswal also scored 161 in the second innings in Perth after being dismissed for a duck in the first innings.

“Imagine getting out on a duck first innings. It also shows you the power of sport that you never give up. You may have scored a zero. You now have scored 161. I just hope he keeps reminding himself and says, the zero could be around the corner, but he’s an amazing player. It’s been great to watch, and I think the journey that he’s had in his life is an inspirational story. I think it’s a long journey that he’s on and he’s had a great start,” Ajay Jadeja concluded.