The match between India and Sri Lanka has stunned all cricket fans. India lost the ODI series, which turned out to be pretty unexpected and sad for the fans. One of the most talked-about points is the poor performance of Virat Kohli in the ODI series. The champions of the 2024 T20 World Cup fought poorly to chase a modest total of 248 in the 3rd ODI, getting dismissed for 138.
Virat Kohli’s Underwhelming Display
Without a doubt, one of the most significant talking points has to be Virat Kohli’s underwhelming display. Kohli has often been considered one of the best batsmen in the world, but he has not made any telling contribution to the series yet. He was out for a paltry 24 runs in the first game and only managed 14 in the second. The inability to handle the spin attack more has been the case, as he became a victim of the spinners in both games. This underperformance has attracted many, including former players.
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has been leading the charge of passing scathing comments on Kohli’s struggles. He added that Kohli’s repeated failures to put big runs on the board reflect his lack of practice. He drew comparisons of Kohli’s situation to that of other players, saying it’s understandable for lesser-known players to struggle, but Kohli’s repeated failures indicate a deeper issue.
Performance of Team Overall
Ali did not stop at Kohli. He has also expressed criticism regarding the general performance of the Indian batting lineup. His view is that the team did not turn out to be what it was reputed to be. His concern was that players like Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul might not have prepared well. This clearly shows his much wider issues against the team beyond Kohli.
Apart from his comments on Kohli, Ali feels some changes in the team’s plans are a must. He cited Shreyas Iyer’s poor form and pressed for his replacement with Rinku Singh, Rishabh Pant, or Riyan Parag. These players, Ali said, might bring in a different way of thinking and maybe help the cause of their campaign. He feels maybe the team does need some new faces and some alterations in strategy.
Ali also came out to put great significance on India’s domestic 50-over tournament, which he said would be quite vital in picking up members who could make an impact on international cricket. Relying on reputation, he said, will not do any good in future tournaments like the Champions Trophy.
Conclusion: Time for Reflection
Recent performances by India have raised many questions about preparation and strategy. With Virat Kohli and other key players underperforming, certainly some amount of introspection is in order. As the team looks forward to a comeback, ways by which it goes about improving its practice, answering criticism, and bringing in changes needed will go a long way in getting its competitive edge back.
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