Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan highlighted the significance of prioritizing team success over individual statistics, citing Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli as a prime example.
Despite Virat Kohli's impressive tally of over 26,700 runs in international cricket, Rizwan pointed out that Kohli's true hallmark lies in his ability to secure victories for India in crunch matches.
Kohli's exceptional average of over 66 and his tendency to score 65 per cent of his runs in Indian wins across all formats serve as evidence of his match-winning prowess.
What did Rizwan say about Kohli?
In an interview with Cricbuzz during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Rizwan discussed the importance of focusing on the team's needs rather than individual achievements, drawing parallels with Kohli's approach.
"Firstly the teams that you are representing keep that [role] in front and if you think of yourself in that case... like players who think like let me save myself, he won't go far. Those players who look at averages are average players," he told Cricbuzz.
"If someone is performing it will be there in the stats for people to see, like say India's Virat Kohli, he is getting his average higher but he is not focusing on that because average players looks at average and big players will look at the team and the situation and my focus remains on what is the requirement of the team."
Rizwan further added: "The team says Rizwan looks at the board and plays accordingly. I maintain the same thing in my own life too but it is not easy. In T20 playing the new ball and in ODI go after 25 overs when the ball is a bit old that is not easy and it is a mind game."
Will Virat Kohli miss the complete India vs England series?
Before the series commenced, Kohli informed the team management and selectors of his decision to take a break. Citing personal reasons, Kohli expressed the need for his presence and undivided attention in certain family matters, which the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) fully supported.
The Indian Express reported that the batter had flown to England with his family.
“Virat will decide when he wants to make a comeback to the Indian side. He hasn’t informed us till now but whenever he decides to play, he will be included in the team,” a BCCI official said.
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