Virat Kohli’s time has gone: David Lloyd

David Lloyd on Virat Kohli.
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Former England cricketer David Lloyd made a huge statement about the future of legendary Indian batter Virat Kohli, saying that his time in Test cricket has ended.

Kohli has been struggling with the bat in the longest format. He has scored just 382 runs from 19 innings this season at a paltry average of 22.47. In the recent tour of Australia, the former India captain was found wanting against deliveries bowled outside the off-stump. He failed to rectify his error across the five-match series and all his dismissals were either caught behind or caught in the slip cordon.

Following his prolonged lean patch in the Test format, questions have been raised about his place in the side. India is set to tour England in June for a five-match Test series where Kohli’s vulnerability outside the off-stump could be exploited by Gus Atkinson and Co.

“Virat Kohli knows he is past his best and that will hurt. When India come to England, you know where he’s going to be. Just outside off stump, and the business area will be the slips. At 36 years of age, up in the mind, he knows what he should be doing. Your reflexes gently go. Ponting said he carried on a bit longer than he usually would have. The selectors should know. He is one of the greatest players we have seen but is past his best. The coach Gautam Gambhir will have an enormous say, a big say, because he has been in that dressing room. He has lost time. His time is over,” Lloyd told talkSport Cricket.

Also Read: Virat Kohli should take inspiration from Mumbai cricketers and play for Delhi in domestic cricket: DDCA secretary

The cricketer-turned-commentator expressed his concerns over Kohli’s weakening reflexes and reaction time. Lloyd feels that there are great bowlers in international cricket who will know exactly how to bowl against him.

“The one thing when you talk about great cricketers, that the rest haven’t, is time. He has lost time. It’s gone. His time’s gone. It comes with age. Everyone tells you what you need to be doing. Stuff like ‘leave the ball’ watch it till the end. But it’s gone. These are great international bowlers. If it’s a repetitive way of getting out – in Test match you know there’s going to be a bank of slips’. If you keep nicking off, it’s a tell-tell sign for anybody that reflexes and reaction time is gone,” Lloyd added.

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