Former India player Saba Karim has said that Virat Kohli should have converted his fifty into a more substantial knock in the second ODI against England. However, he applauded Kohli for taking just one inning to return to his best. Kohli scored 65 runs off 66 balls as India were bowled out for 233 in Cardiff on Thursday, July 16 as well. His knock went in vain as England achieved the target with four wickets and 35 balls to spare as well.

During a discussion on JioHotstar, Saba added, “It’s very tough for a player who is playing just one format. No matter how much you prepare, until you get match practice, it’s very difficult to come and bat like this. The engine took an ODI to get warmed up. We got to see the trademark Virat Kohli shots. It was a knock like that.”

“He got out at the wrong time. He had scored so many runs, and he had to kick on from there to a big score, which couldn’t happen. However, we got to see fantastic footwork, and he showed aggression with his drives. Virat at his best. It’s great for India that Virat took only one match to show his form again,” he further added.

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Speaking on JioHotstar, former India pacer Varun Aaron also added that Virat Kohli had come with the game plan to target Gus Atkinson in Thursday’s game as well.

“Virat Kohli’s game plan is excellent in every match. He knows how to bat based on the conditions. He put the pressure back on Gus Atkinson because he knew Atkinson is a bowler who can bowl well in these conditions, as he can hit the six-meter length repeatedly,” he said.

“However, he didn’t allow him to bowl there. It’s a hallmark of every great batter that they don’t allow the bowlers to bowl in their areas, and instead make them bowl them in the batters’ area. That’s Virat’s specialty, and that’s why he has been scoring runs for years. His game plans against the bowlers and in the conditions are excellent,” he concluded.