‘Why is this discussion happening?’

London: India skipper Rohit Sharma has once again come out in support of Virat Kohli after the batter was out for 16 in the second ODI against England to extend his prolonged lean patch. At the post-match press conference following the team’s 100- run drubbing to England here on Thursday, Rohit looked agitated as he interrupted a scribe even before he could complete his question on Kohli’s poor run of form. “Kyun ho rahi hain, yaar. Matlab mujhe samajh mein nahi aata, bhai. (Why is there so much of discussion... I can’t understand this),” Rohit said.“He has played so many matches, over such a long period of time. He is such a great batter, so he does not need reassurance.”

If Rohit’s support was not enough, his English counterpart Jos Buttler too backed Kohli to regain his touch, and said a big knock is “always due” from a player of his calibre. Making a comeback after sitting out the first ODI because of a groin strain, Kohli was dismissed after striking three boundaries at Lord’s, once again leading to discussions on his poor form.

In the preceding T20I series Kohli had scores of 1 and 11, and was also dismissed cheaply in the fifth Test against England. But Rohit maintained the the Indian No. 3 does not need any reassurance and his spot in the team is secure.

“As I have said previously, form can go up and down, it’s part and parcel for every cricketer’s career. Even the greatest of the cricketer would have his share of ups and downs. “For someone who has won so many matches for India, you need one or two innings to bounce back. That’s what I feel and I am sure all those who follow cricket will think similarly.”

“I know there’s been discussions going on but we have to understand we have seen for years, players go through ups and downs, but quality never goes away, we have to keep that in mind.” “Look at his past records, the number of hundreds, his average. He has the experience. You have slump even in personal life.”