Don’t get desperate for runs: Irfan Pathan’s advice for Virat Kohli after back-to-back ducks vs Australia

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli has been struggling to get runs in the ongoing ODI series against Australia. Making his comeback in international cricket after seven months, Kohli had a forgettable outing

so far as he failed to get off the mark in both the ODI matches played so far down under. He registered an eight-ball duck in the first ODI in Perth followed by a four-ball duck in the second ODI in Adelaide. Now, it will be a crucial game for Kohli as India will take on Australia in the third and the final ODI at Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25.

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has advised Virat Kohli to not get desperate for runs in the third ODI just because he didn't get a single run in the first two matches. “Two matches, two ducks — we haven’t seen this. It doesn’t happen too often. This can be pressure, rustiness, or anything. All these things are going on social media, the atmosphere is being created. We have to be careful that these two players are not being affected by the atmosphere. If performance is not there, they won’t play,” Irfan said on his YouTube channel.

Virat needs to keep enjoying batting: Irfan Pathan

Notably, this was also the first time in his ODI career that Virat Kohli got out on a duck for two consecutive matches. However, Irfan Pathan has advised the 36-year-old to stay calm and composed in the third ODI and enjoy his batting. The former cricketer believes that Kohli needs to spend time on the crease to get runs.

“How can he come out of this? He wants to take a single quickly and get off strike. When there are two ducks against your name, you want a run. But he has to ensure to not get desperate. He shouldn’t enjoy batting in the course of getting desperate. He needs to keep enjoying batting. Once he spends time, runs will come and he won’t look back. He likes one-day cricket the most,” Irfan said.