Michael Atherton praised India’s Virat Kohli for overcoming adversity off the field: T20 World Cup. Atherton recognized Virat Kohli for dealing well with off-field adversities amid a torrid World T20 campaign. He feels Kohli did a phenomenal job by supporting Mohammed Shami. Despite realizing what might follow. Shami received abuse over social media following his poor performance against Pakistan. The Green Army beat India by ten wickets in the opening game of the competition. Nevertheless, several netizens targeted him more for being a Muslim. However, Kohli held the seamer’s back and hit back at the insults.
He’s writing for The New York Times in his column. Atherton acknowledges Kohli’s high expectations. During this time, the Indian press is always on his tail. Atherton claimed that he is making a move to defend Shami.
“It has been a difficult tournament for Kohli, whose every move, as captain of a team who carries far greater expectation than any other, is scrutinized and analyzed. If Kohli lifts an eyebrow, an army of Indian journalists will decode its significance, so when he defended his opening bowler Mohammed Shami, a Muslim, after his team’s loss to Pakistan, he knew his words would carry weight,” Michael Atherton wrote.
Mohammed Shami
And then, Shami was the most expensive Indian bowler. Kohli also backed his teammate during a media interaction. Virat said that attacking someone over religion is pathetic. Also, he pointed out that Shami has been a match-winner for India and deserves respect. Atherton further praised the Indian captain for not taking a step backward. Moreover, supporting Shami despite knowing the consequences.
“Lastly, Kohli did not prevaricate. Before his team’s next match against New Zealand last Sunday, and ignoring the usual pre-match protocols to talk only of cricket, Kohli defended his seam bowler’s right to religious freedom, despite knowing that there was likely to be a backlash against him,” Atherton said.
Read more: Brad Hogg says “Jos Buttler is the best T20 batter in international cricket” in T20 World Cup 2021