If Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni don’t bat well, TV ratings go down: Graeme Swann
India Today
Virat Kohli is currently taking part in a three-match T20I series against Temba Bavuma's South Africa. The second T20I is set to be played on October 2 in Guwahati.
Former England cricketer Graeme Swann reckoned that Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni impact television ratings big time. While Dhoni retired from international cricket back in 2019 and only plays for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kohli is still an integral part of the Indian team across all three formats.
However, over the last three years or so, Kohli has had his fair share of ups and downs. Recently, he rediscovered himself by scoring his maiden T20I century against Afghanistan last month in the Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2022.
The 43-year-old Swann was of the opinion that if Dhoni and Kohli don’t play well, the TV ratings go down drastically.
“India need Virat Kohli to fire. I’ve worked for the TV side and I know there is a desperate need for Virat Kohli to do well, as it was with MS Dhoni. If those guys don’t do well, TV ratings go down and people get disillusioned. I want Virat Kohli to do well, when I used to play against India, I never minded Virat Kohli’s batting,” Swann was quoted as saying to News18.
Swann, who played 60 Tests, 79 ODIs and 39 T20Is, also mentioned that he enjoys watching the 33-year-old Kohli bat.
“I liked watching him bat up close, trust me if you think you think he looks good while batting from the stands and on TV, you should stand at a backward point or cover, it’s gorgeous to watch him bat," he added.
