NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has supplied a blunt critique of Virat Kohli’s current performances, significantly his persistent points with photographs outdoors the off-stump. Speaking on Star Sports after India’s heavy 184-run defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test, Pathan highlighted Kohli’s struggles as a key think about India’s underwhelming show.
“Both the seniors (Rohit and Virat) did not meet expectations. They did not meet their own expectations at all. They are making mistakes,” Pathan stated, addressing the type of each Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma.
Focusing on Kohli’s lengthy-standing tendency to chase deliveries outdoors the off-stump, Pathan expressed frustration over the lack of correction in the batter’s method.
“The shot by Virat Kohli – this is neither the first nor the last time. He is not letting go of the temptation to drive outside the off-stump,” Pathan remarked, including that the concern has plagued Kohli for years.
Pathan additionally questioned why Kohli, famend for his off-subject discipline and meticulous preparation, has struggled to bring the identical focus to his batting.
“We all talk about his discipline – why can’t he bring that discipline onto the field?” Pathan requested, highlighting a puzzling inconsistency in Kohli’s strategy.
Kohli’s scores of 36 and 5 in the first and second innings, respectively, had been emblematic of India’s broader batting failures as they fell to a 2-1 collection deficit in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy,
With only one Test remaining in Sydney, India face an uphill job to reclaim the collection and keep hopes of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship Final.