'He shouldn't be the water boy' - Mohammad Kaif slams Virat Kohli for not backing players

Criticisms of Virat Kohli’s captaincy have been very rare. But, one thing which many experts have said about the Indian captain is regarding his selection choices. Former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif has now expressed his criticism towards some of the tactics of Kohli.

The former Indian cricketer said that the current Indian skipper is making too many experiments with his team selection. Pointing out at last year’s World Cup, Kaif said that the captain tried several combinations that affected the team. He expressed the Indian captain should back his players, only then he can make a successful team.

Kohli is doing a lot of experiments with team selection: Mohammad Kaif

“Kohli is doing a lot of experiments with team selection. He should not have done that. Kohli tried many combinations and even selected players who don’t have so much exposure during the last World Cup. Kohli should focus and back his team selection. If any player lost his form for some matches, still he should support him. Kohli should make the players. Then only he can create a good team,” Kaif said during a live session on Helo App.

Talking about the wicketkeeper’s role, the ex-Indian cricketer also said that he believes KL Rahul is a good option as a back-up keeper but not a permanent one. He also expressed his disappointment that Rishabh Pant has been out of the side for the last few series.

“Even for the wicketkeeping role, they are shuffling many players. India needs a permanent specialist wicketkeeper. KL Rahul can be a backup wicketkeeper but I don’t think he should be the main. If you want to support Rishabh Pant over Dhoni, then Kohli should back him. He should not be the water boy of the team,” Kaif added.

Kaif further stated that Kohli can have a better record as a captain than MS Dhoni when he retires. However, he needs to back his players as he has a good number of match-winners in his team. The former player believes that it is important for Kohli to keep them as a team.

“Kohli and his team should overcome this hurdle. If it is so, Kohli will be the most successful captain when he retires. Kohli has match-winners, good players, you have to back them up, you have to build a team, if they stay as one team, it’ll tremendous, by this way Virat Kohli can become the best captain and surpass Dhoni when he retires,” Kaif concluded.