Former India pace bowler turned coach Ashish Nehra has backed out of form Virat Kohli to get “extra chances” due to his performances in the past as well. The former captain has been going through a lean phase, having not scored a century since November 2019 as well. After not performing well in the T20I series against England, Kohli also missed the first ODI at The Oval as he had sustained a groin injury.

However, Nehra, who retired from international cricket back in 2017, said that Virat Kohli doesn’t need to pay heed to “outside noises” and he should focus on the support from his near and dear ones as well.

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“There will be discussions even if you’re not a player of Kohli’s caliber. When you are playing, you try to focus on your game and not listen to so-called ‘outside voices’ from people outside the dressing room. It’s important how your teammates, management, and selectors are backing you,” Ashish Nehra was quoted as saying. “But we are talking about a guy like Virat. Yes, it’s not written anywhere that he will keep playing for India even if he doesn’t score runs. But when you have done so much in the past, you will always get extra chances,”

“Everybody knows his accomplishments and the talent he has. At the age of 33, fitness isn’t a problem for him. Everybody is hopeful that Virat will come good, the quicker the better. Let’s hope we see a different Virat after the West Indies series. If he rests for a month or five odd weeks, it will be helpful for him,” Ashish Nehra concluded.

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Recently, Virat Kohli also didn’t play the opening T20I against England after taking part in the rescheduled fifth and final Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham as well.