Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has again commented on the form of Virat Kohli, saying that the ace Team India batter seems out of practice. His remarks followed an unflattering display by Kohli in the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka. According to Basit, such a scenario is very rare for a player of Kohli’s caliber, and thus he is bound to feel that lack of practice might be the reason.
He said that while players of the ilk of Shivam Dube and Shreyas Iyer might fall LBW to spinners, it is hardly the case with someone of Virat Kohli’s eminence. “A great batsman like Virat Kohli, the world number one batsman has fallen LBW twice. If it is happening to Iyer or Dube then it is understandable, but Virat Kohli is Virat Kohli. This means that he is not in practice,” said Basit Ali in his latest YouTube video.
While in the opening series on August 2, Kohli could only muster up 24 before he was declared LBW against leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. In the second game also, he got out to a leggie, Jeffrey Vandersay, while running 14.
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Basit Ali, however, further went ahead to include other Indian batters like Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul as underprepared for the ODI series. “It did not seem that this is the batting lineup which rules the world. I feel that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul probably haven’t even practiced. These people have come without practice,” Basit added.
The first game ended in a tie, with both sides level on 230 runs. But Sri Lanka won the second ODI, beating India by 34 runs in Colombo yesterday, dismissing the tourists for 208. Jeffrey Vandersay took six wickets, ensuring Sri Lanka took the victory and took a 1-0 lead in the three-game series with one match still remaining.
He did not even let out on Shreyas Iyer, whose missed opportunities he also pointed at with scores of 23 and seven in the series. Basit urged the Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir, to turn toward other players like Rinku Singh or Riyan Parag who are younger, or those doing well in domestic 50-overs.
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“I don’t understand what is Shreyas Iyer going to do with such performances. I think the time has come for Rishabh Pant, Riyan Parag, and Rinku Singh. India’s 50-over domestic tournament will be vital for Gautam Gambhir because he will have to take some players from there. If India picks players based on reputation, the results won’t be too good in the Champions Trophy,” Basit Alisaid.
The third and final ODI of the series will be played at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7.
