Ravi Shastri and Wasim Akram have backed Virat Kohli to hit form in Asia Cup 2022 (Photos: AFP)
The countdown for Asia Cup 2022 has started as the cricketing world gears up for the much-awaited tournament, starting on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates. India versus Pakistan, on August 28, has already become the talk of the town as former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Wasim Akram previewed the 'greatest rivalry' ahead of the mouth-watering contest. Both the cricketing greats also talked about Virat Kohli's form ahead of the Asia Cup as they backed the batting icon to hit form during the tournament.
With the likes of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan having the potential to defeat tournament favourites in India and Pakistan, former India head coach Ravi Shastri labelled the Asia Cup as the "strongest Asia Cup" while adding participating teams would be looking at a winning start with the aim to gather momentum early on.
"This will be the strongest Asia Cup. The difference between the sides has closed and that would make it interesting. A good start would be important for teams," Shastri said in a virtual press conference organised by Star Sports.
The Comeback of Shaz and Waz for the greatest rivalry! https://t.co/Wm7e3B02Jd
The build-up to the tournament has once again seen Virat Kohli and his form hog the limelight. While the former Indian captain remains a hot topic of discussion, both Shastri and Akram feel that Kohli will return to form after taking a break after India's tour of England.
Kohli has a fantastic record in Asia Cup, having scored 766 runs in 14 innings with three centuries and two half-centuries. Kohli is also the only Indian batter to score three centuries in the Asia Cup and was the leading run-scorer for the country in the 2012 and 2016 editions.
"The fans and media have been criticizing Virat Kohli quite unfairly on social media. I think he is one of the all-time greats. He is only 33 years of age, and I am sure he'll come back because he is a great player. I hope he doesn't come back to form against Pakistan," Akram said.
Whereas Shastri feels that leading India across formats took a massive toll on Kohli. "I recently came across a stat during India-England Test match that Kohli has played over three times the number of games as compared to his top rivals like Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root. Leading India in all three formats of the game takes a heavy toll and I believe this break will be good for him," the former India all-rounder said.
"There is no Indian cricketer who is fitter than Kohli. He's a machine and if he manages to get his mind right, for him it is a matter of just 1 innings to come back into form," Shastri added.
He further said that Kohli needs one big knock to get back to form. "One innings can make a difference. He needs one innings to get back because the hunger is undiminished. The break may help Virat Kohli come back and do wonders."
While Kohli has been struggling with form, Pakistan captain Babar Azam continues to score runs for fun. Since 2021, Babar Azam has hammered 2188 runs in T20 format at an average of 46.55 and a strike rate of 129.54 including two centuries and 21 half-centuries.
On the inevitable comparison between Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and Kohli during India versus Pakistan, Akram said, "The comparison between Babar Azam vs Virat Kohli is natural. During my days it was Inzamam-ul-Haq vs Sachin Tendulkar before that it was Javed Miandad vs Sunil Gavaskar. Babar is on the right track to becoming an all-time great, but he still has a long way to go before he can be compared with Virat Kohli."
Tonight we're discussing batting royalty - @imVkohli! 😍Don't miss the King Kohli 👑 special as we build up to his 💯th T20I appearance on #Gameplan:📺 Tonight, 11 PM | Repeat: Tomorrow, 11 AM | Star Sports Network pic.twitter.com/s3UwinpEmZ
When asked about ways to deal with the immense pressure before the much-anticipated India versus Pakistan encounter, Shastri gave simple advice for players: "switch off your phones".
"Pressure comes from outside than inside. If you can shut all that and focus on the game that it's just another game. Focus on your work ethics & what you have to do, and the rest follows. Just switch off your phones ahead of the game," Shastri said.
India will take on Pakistan on August 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Asia Cup 2022 commences on August 27 with hosts Sri Lanka taking on Afghanistan in the tournament opener.
Watch Asia Cup 2022 from 27th August, 6.00 pm onwards live and exclusive on Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar
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