Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim has shed light on Virat Kohli’s knock in the second ODI against England at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Thursday. Kohli was dismissed after 65 runs off 66 balls on a short-pitch delivery but Karim reckons the veteran batter should have got a big score after completing his fifty.
The talismanic batter was able to hit the ground running as soon as he came to the crease, following Shubman Gill’s dismissal. Kohli timed the ball to perfection and he was looking in sublime touch.
“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,” Saba Karim said on JioHotstar.
“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 added.
On the other hand, former Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron hailed Kohli’s gameplan against English bowlers, particularly taking on the attack against Gus Atkinson.
“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.
The SRH bowling coach praised Kohli for not allowing Atkinson to bowl to his strengths.
“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,” Aaron observed.
The decider of the three-match series between England and India will be played at Lord’s on Sunday.
