I read an interesting article in www.wisden.com which basically implored Kohli from not touring Zimbabwe. The author reckoned that Kohli must have toured Zimbabwe to regain his form. Could the author be correct? Should Kohli must have toured Zimbabwe? Would it help Kohli to regain his top form?
I have always advocated Kohli to take a long break even if that means missing the T20 World Cup and a few Test matches. I am among those who thought that a break will do him and the Indian team a great deal of favour and he will be back to his best by playing a few Ranji Trophy games for Delhi. There are no two ways to look at it but Kohli is under tremendous pressure. He has had a difficult year with World T20 loss followed by the loss in South Africa when everyone, including the South Africans expected India to win the series. He was stripped off captaincy from all the formats and Kohli became just another player. On top of all, former captains openly asked the board to drop Kohli.
His troubles were compounded because of lack of runs. He is averaging below 30 in Tests over 3 years and is yet to score a hundred in any format for over 3 years. For the first time, Kohli’s test average is below 50. It has not been easy for Kohli at all.
Zimbabwe is not a strong team by any yardstick
It is under such circumstances, Wisden’s author wanted Kohli to tour Zimbabwe. If you think about it, Kohli could have toured Zimbabwe. No offense but Zimbabwe is not a team that belongs to the top league. They do not belong to the mid-rung teams either. They would have offered Kohli some easy pickings. In hindsight, perhaps, Kohli must have toured. This is a golden opportunity. Perhaps, he would have scored the much needed hundred and thereby lessening the pressure. 3 ODIs and Kohli would have had ample amount of time. The bowling of Zimbabwe will hardly threaten him.
On the otherhand, there is also the question of what if he played and failed? That would have been a disaster. Kohli unable to score runs against Zimbabwe would have sent his confidence to the rock bottom if it is not there already. However, it is a chance Kohli must have taken. If these games had been T20, Kohli skipping the tour is understandable because he is increasingly being found out in the shortest format. ODI would have given him the time that he needs.
Tendulkar’s example
Kohli did not have to look anywhere else for confirmation. Tendulkar, when the pressure of 100th hundred was unbearable for him, played slowly against Bangladesh to score that elusive ton. It is another story that India lost that game because of Tendulkar’s exceptionally slow batting but the pressure was off his shoulders.
Wrapping up should Kohli must have toured Zimbabwe?
It certainly is a missed opportunity for Kohli. Whether he will rue later on, remains to be seen.