Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his surprise over ace Indian batsman Virat Kohli’s struggles against the bowlers during the ongoing three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Basit Ali claimed that Virat Kohli is not well prepared for the series after his back-to-back disappointing performances against Sri Lanka.
Virat Kohli came under scrutiny after failing to score in the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka. The right-handed batsman has been struggling against Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers on a spinning pitch. He managed to register scores of 24 runs and 14 runs. Team India is trailing 0-1 in the series after losing the second ODI match.
Virat Kohli is not in practice – Basit Ali
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali said that it is unexpected that experienced player Virat Kohli has been dismissed twice in two ODIs against Sri Lanka. Ali claimed that it is understandable that players like Shivam Dube and Shreyas Iyer have been dismissed in the same manner in consecutive matches.
“A great batsman like Virat Kohli, the world number one, has been out twice due to injury. It is understandable if it happens to Iyer or Dube, but Virat Kohli is Virat Kohli. This means he is not training,” Basit said.
Virat Kohli got off to a flying start, scoring 24 runs in the first match on August 2. The 35-year-old batsman failed to convert his opening over and was out LBW by leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. In the second game, Kohli was out LBW by Hasaranga’s replacement Jeffrey Vandersay after scoring 14 runs off 19 balls.
These people have come without practice – Basit Ali
Basit Ali also said that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, who were not part of the T20I series, came into the series without enough practice on curved tracks. The former Pakistan batsman claimed that this lack of practice led to the batting line-up’s problems.
“It doesn’t look like this is the batting line-up that rules the world. I think Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul probably haven’t even practised. These people have come without practising,” Basit added.
The 53-year-old said Gautam Gambhir should consider including Rishabh Pant, Riyan Parag and Rinku Singh in the starting XI. Ali warned that relying on reputation rather than current performance could hurt their chances of winning the 2025 Champions Trophy.
“I don’t understand what Shreyas Iyer is going to do with such performances. I think the time has come for Rishabh Pant, Riyan Parag and Rinku Singh. India’s domestic 50-overs tournament will be vital for Gautam Gambhir because he will have to pick some players from there. If India picks players based on their reputation, the results will not be too good in the Champions Trophy,” he added.
The opening match of the series between India and Sri Lanka ended in a draw, with both teams scoring 230 runs. In the second ODI of the three-match series, Sri Lanka defeated India by 34 runs in Colombo. Jeffrey Vandersay took six wickets as India were bowled out for 208. Sri Lanka leads the series 1-0 with one match remaining.
The third ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7. Rohit Sharma-led India will be looking to bounce back and level the series.
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