'11 Players Form A Team, Not One...' - Akashdeep On India Missing Virat Kohli

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-08-12 10:15:55 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-12 12:55:06

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India may have struggled without their star batsman, but Akashdeep Singh believes the team shouldn't rely on one player.

Speaking to ABP News, the former Indian hockey player said, "11 players form a team, not just one."

He believes Shubman Gill has done a fine job in his first Test series as captain. "It's a big thing to lead a nation in a Test match at the age of 24. He is performing well, and others should support him. This will give him confidence."

Akashdeep also thinks that dependency on one player is a problem for India in cricket and hockey. "We want to see a person from our country doing well, but we make that person a god. This is a problem with our country. We should not make Virat Kohli, Lionel Messi, or Lewis Hamilton the centre of our sport."

"If you remove Virat from the team, we are not able to win, this itself says a lot. We are lagging in the development of players."

With Kohli returning for the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe, Akashdeep is confident that the team can bounce back. "We have to accept that this is a young team, and they will make mistakes. We can only hope that they learn from their mistakes and become the best version of themselves."

"I hope they play with a free mind and give their best. The entire country is praying for their success," he added.

Despite the absence of big names like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, India's tour of Zimbabwe marks an opportunity for younger players to make their mark.

Go!