Commercialisation, ‘hurts’ quality of cricket, says Virat Kohli in criticism of the 100-ball format

That cricket is being commercialised every day which is making the sport lose out on quality is what worries Indian skipper Virat Kohli. The 29-year old also expressed his criticism for the 100-ball former which is being pushed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Despite leading India in all the three formats, Kohli also is a regular participant in BCCI’s marquee tournament-The Indian Premier League.

Kohli, as quoted by Wisden Cricket Monthly said, “I’m already very… I wouldn’t say frustrated, but sometimes it can get very demanding of you when you have to play so much cricket regularly. I feel somewhere the commercial aspect is taking over the real quality of cricket and that hurts me.”

The ECB’s move of launching the new 100-ball format has faced a lot of criticism from many and Kohli made it clear that he wouldn’t be a part of, “one more format.”

“Obviously for the people involved (ECB) in the whole process and the set-up it will be really exciting but I cannot think of one more format, to be honest,” he said.

“Honestly, I don’t want to be a testing sort of a cricketer for any new format. I don’t want to be someone who’s going to be part of that World XI who comes and launches the 100-ball format,” added Kohli.

He also went on to explain the differences between competing in the IPL and the proposed 100-ball format.

“I love playing the IPL, I love watching the BBL, because you are working towards something, competing against high-quality sides and it gets your competitive juices flowing. That’s what you want as a cricketer. I am all for the leagues, but not to experiment,” he said.

Kohli was set to have a stint in County cricket ahead of India’s much-awaited tour of England but an injury couldn’t make it possible.

But the Indian skipper said that he would love to play first-class cricket in England.

He said, ” County cricket always intrigued me. Unfortunately, it couldn’t happen this time but I would love to come again in future,” before adding, “I have heard so much from so many players over so many years that it has really helped them understand their games even better. Also just to understand how professional the set-up over here is, how the longest format of the game is looked at with so much respect.”