Mohammed Kaif has backed Virat Kohli to bounce back from his slump in form during the ICC Champions Trophy, claiming that the Indian star is the ‘uncrowned king’ of white-ball cricket. Kohli had a series forget during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia as he was dismissed 8 times by deliveries outside off-stump. The India star ended the tour with 190 runs in 9 innings.

Kohli will now switch his attention towards the upcoming England series and the Champions Trophy in February and will be a part of the Delhi squad for their Ranji Trophy match against Railways, starting from January 30. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said that Kohli is a player who never accepts defeat and will definitely make a comeback. The former batter said that no one can write off Kohli in white-ball cricket and pointed to his record in ODIs.

“Virat Kohli never accepts defeat and always makes a comeback. Don’t write him off in white ball cricket, the picture is far from over because he has 50 ODI tons to his name and nearly 13,000 runs in ODIs. So, forget what happened in Tests,”

‘Kohli’s era has not ended’

Kaif said that Kohli plays differently in the limited-overs formats and pointed out to the Indian star’s record in Dubai while backing him to do well during the Champions Trophy.

“He plays differently in white ball. The last time Virat Kohli played in Dubai, he scored an unbeaten 122 off 61 balls against Afghanistan and smashed six sixes in his innings. His form was excellent and he loves playing in Dubai so, I expect him to do well with the bat in the Champions Trophy,” he added.

Kaif said that if Kohli does well in the opening match, then he will score runs. The former cricketer also claimed that Kohli’s era has not come to an end and will continue.

“If he scores well in the opening game, then he will keep scoring runs, I can take that guarantee. Virat Kohli white ball me ek betaaj badshah hai (Virat Kohli is an uncrowned king in white ball cricket). The era has not ended, it will continue,” Kaif said.

Kohli started training with his former coach Sanjay Bangar for the upcoming assignments.

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