Last Updated:
Virat Kohli has been repeatedly dismissed in similar fashion during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy leading to criticism.
Virat Kohli has scored 126 runs so far in five innings of the ongoing Australia tour. (AP Photo)
Virat Kohli’s propensity to chase after an outside off delivery has proved to be his biggest bane on the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy as Australian bowlers have exploited the apparent weakness to keep him quiet. Kohli’s Australia tour began with a bang as he peeled off a strokeful century – 100 not out off 143 – in a massive 295-run win in the Perth Test. However, since then, he has mustered 26 runs in his next four innings.
India Test captain Rohit Sharma was asked whether he’s had a conversation with Kohli regarding his struggles against outside off deliveries during an interaction with the media in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Rohit, in his inimitable style, replied, “You only said he’s a modern-day great. Modern-day greats will figure out their own path.”
Indian batting his come under heavy criticism for the manner in which they have suffered repeated collapses stretching back to the three-match Test series against New Zealand at home.
With the series locked at one-all after three matches, Indian batters will be under pressure to perform as the visitors aim to regain the series lead in Melbourne – the venue of the fourth match of their tour.
India have added uncapped spin bowling allrounder Tanush Kotian to their squad days after Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket.
The pitch curator at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) claimed that the surface will be more seam-friendly than spin-friendly.
So have India settled on their playing XI? Rohit is keeping his cards close to his chest.
“We’ll see how much grass there is on the wicket, whether spinners will be required or not. We’ll have to see all of this. We have just have today (to practice and asses) and then off tomorrow (because of Christmas), even the groundsmen will not be there at the ground either. So, we’ll have to do decide today after checking the wicket,” Rohit said.
“Usually, in the last two or three Test matches played here, there wasn’t that much grass on the wicket. It looked a dry wicket. Certainly, this doesn’t look like a dry wicket to me. We’ll analyse the wicket properly and check what combination will be ideal and then take a decision accordingly,” he added.
- Location :
Melbourne (Australia)
