Ever since Virat Kohli has stepped down from captaincy of Indian cricket team in all formats of the game (more recently in Test matches), people have been discussing about what may have led to the decision.
And while the ace cricketer’s ardent fans have got his back and have been showing him love and support in this testing time, there are also those voices who have been making some uncalled-for personal remarks against the star-cricketer.
Former Pakistani cricketer, Shoaib Akhtar is apparently choosing to be on the latter side.
The former star-bowler of Pakistan, in a recent interview blamed Virat’s marriage for his performance and graph in cricket, inviting the wrath of the Indian all-rounder’s devout fans.
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During a recent interaction with Dainik Jagaran Shoaib made a controversial statement. Here’s what he was quoted as saying by Times Of India:
“Virat captained for 6-7 years and I was never in favour of his captaincy, I just wanted him to keep scoring 100-120 runs and keep the focus on his batting. I would have not even married if I were in his place.”
He further added:
“I had just scored runs and enjoyed cricket, these 10-12 years of cricket are different times and don’t come again, I am not saying getting married is wrong but If you are playing for India, you would have enjoyed the time a little. Fans are crazy about Kohli and he had to maintain that love he is getting for the last 20 years.”
Watch his latest interaction courtesy of ANI below:
#WATCH | Performance pressure is there on him (Virat Kohli) …I wanted him to marry…after scoring 120 centuries…I wouldn’t have married…had I been in his place… anyway, that’s his personal decision..: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar on Virat Kohli (23.01) pic.twitter.com/aGRi82kxxE
— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2022
Soon after Shoaib’s response, blaming Virat’s marriage for his cricketing decision and his on-field performance, he received massive backlash from netizens.
People not only called Shoaib’s comments ‘distasteful’ but also asked him to ‘mind his business’.
1)
His marriage can’t be blamed for his current performance. I mean, graphs don’t always stand at their apex. This time is to support! not to find reasons for not being Kholi at the moment.
— Akash (@ak_pawarr) January 24, 2022
2)
According to wisden science’s survey After marriage bat speed of all batters decrease by 23% and this is the main reason why kohli is not able to make runs.
— Dr Nimo Mishra (@niiravmodi) January 24, 2022
3)
According to him Professional life is everything and family and love life are nothing for a person. If someone is perfect people always try to find negative in him to pull him or her down. He(shoaib) is such a renowned player how can he talk such non sense things about someone.
— karishma trehan (@KarishmaTrehan) January 25, 2022
4)
Did anyone asked him to advocate us or even asked for his opinion ? Did we indians bothered about pak cricket ? What should they do ? Blah blah……mind your business..mr 100 aib…..
— Sukh P Kamboz 🇮🇳 (@kjforindia) January 24, 2022
5)
@AsnadAtta why don’t Shoaib Akhtar mind his own business. Chutiya
— Saqib Bhatti (@SaqibBhatti1) January 25, 2022
What are your thoughts on this?