New Delhi: Former Pakistan cricketer and the fastest bowler in the history of cricket, Shoaib Akhtar feels that Virat Kohli’s career is affected due to the pressure of marriage. He stated this after admitting that had he been in Kohli’s place, he wouldn’t have married in the first place.
In an interview with Dainik Jagran regarding Virat Kohli’s decision to quit Test captaincy, after being removed from the ODI role, Akhtar stated that he was never in support of Kohli being Indian captain and all he wanted him to do was score centuries and keep his focus on batting.
“Virat didn’t leave captaincy but was forced to do so. This is not the best of times for him but he needs to prove what he is made of. Is he made of steel or iron? Virat captained for 6-7 years and I was never in favour his Captaincy, I just wanted him to keep scoring 100, 120 runs and keep the focus on his batting,” said Akhtar, who is a part of the ongoing Legends League Cricket.
The 46-year-old veteran cricketer added that Kohli should have concentrated on scoring runs and records for 10-12 years despite getting married. Kohli is married to Bollywood actress, Anushka Sharma.
“I would have not even married if I were in his place. I had just scored runs and enjoyed cricket, these 10-12 years of cricket are different time and doesn’t come again, I am not saying getting married is wrong but If you are playing for India, you would have enjoyed a time a little. fans are crazy about Kohli and he had to maintain that love he is getting for the last 20 years,” he added.
When asked whether the pressure of marriage has affected Kohli’s career, Akhtar replied, “Absolutely, yes.”
He further stated, “There is pressure from the children, of the family. As the responsibility increases, so does the pressure. Cricketers have a short career span of 14-15 years in which you stay at the peak for five-six years. Those years of Virat have passed, now he has to struggle.”
Akhtar stated that a captain of a team should get married only after retiring from the role.
“As a captain, you have to think a lot. I am not against marriage but I believe play while playing, there shouldn’t be much pressure, play freely, pick up your things and play fiercely. I got married when I retired from the captain. As a Captain, you have to face the media, the brand, all the things which come with it,” he said.
