Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has criticised Virat Kohli for wasting his starts and said that the batter needs to change this. He pointed out that Kohli of earlier times didn’t get dismissed after scoring 30-35 runs but these days, after getting the starts he plays a poor shot and gets out.
Virat Kohli fails to convert his start in the second ODI against Australia
The second ODI between India and Australia was a disappointing game for the hosts as they were outclassed by the opposition in all three formats of the game. The Rohit Sharma-led displayed a poor batting performance, which eventually was the reason behind their downfall. They were bundled out for just 117 runs.
Virat Kohli looked a bit settled on the crease and tried to bail his side out of the trouble. He played a few staggering shots but he yet again failed to convert the start he got and was back in the hunt in the 30s. The bowling change did trick for Australia as his wicket jolted India more.
Nathan Ellis, who was brought into the attack wasted no time and trapped him in lbw in the first ball he bowled to him. Ellis bowed a full bai that nipped in slightly from off. Kohli tried to clip it across the line and missed. The ball struck on the pads and bang in front of the middle. He tried to play across the line but that didn’t work as he was back in the hut for 31 runs.
The class of virat kohli. He was a in a great touch today but unfortunately couldn't get support by team mates on crease and departs at just 31 runs. But that was good by #KingKohli showing his class. #ViratKohli #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/r0sq8B9jx0
— 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓲𝓴𝓱 𝓐𝓱𝓼𝓪𝓷 (@mraaisu07) March 19, 2023
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Notably, Kohli struggled to get going in the first game as well as was trapped in Lbw by Mitchell Starc. He scored just 4 runs in 9 balls. The game was eventually won by India as KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja joined hands to guide their side home.
“He makes 35-40 runs and plays one poor shot to get out,” Wasim Jaffer critical of Virat Kohli wasting his starts
Following Virat Kohli’s failure in the second ODI against Australia, Wasim Jaffer said that the batter needs to stop wasting his starts. He compared the batter with his early days and said that it was impossible to get him out after 30-35 but this isn’t the case now. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, he said:
“It was a massive wicket as he looked in rhythm. It seemed like he would string a big partnership with Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja. He might not have played Nathan Ellis a lot and got beaten after playing across. He looked in good nick.”
“I’m a little surprised because the old Kohli wouldn’t be dismissed after making 30-35 runs, but it’s happening frequently. When he is on the crease, he makes 35-40 runs and plays one poor shot to get out. So, Kohli has to change that. I thought we might see one more big score at his favourite venue and it, unfortunately, couldn’t happen.”
Virat Kohli will now be seen in action in the series-decider third ODI against Australia in Chennai on 22nd March. He would be hoping to turn around things and register a big score to make his team win.
