Indian coach delivers harsh verdict on Virat Kohli’s duck against Mitchell Starc in Perth ODI
Former Indian assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has dissected Virat Kohli’s dismissal of Mitchell Starc in the first ODI against Australia in Perth. The former Indian all-rounder felt that Starc was a step ahead of the veteran Indian batter, who got out playing the wrong shot.
Australia dominated the Indians in Perth, especially the fast bowlers, who struggled to reach the Indian top order, comprising returning bigs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. India were eventually defeated in the match thanks to a superb show from the Australian skipper.
‘Mitchell Starc seemed to have a head start’ – Abhishek Nayar delivers verdict on Virat Kohli’s dismissal
As the former Indian captain returned to the international format after a long gap of 6 months, he was unfortunately dismissed for a duck with a ball thrown at the line outside the off stump. Kohli’s dismissal and failure to play the ball was brought up by former Indian assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.
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“The discussion will always be about square wicket play in Australia. With the pace, bounce and extra lateral movement on offer, you want to let the ball come to you, play it late and behind the body.”
“It’s slightly different from what Virat traditionally does here. He’s someone who likes to take charge, walk towards the bowlers and bowl in straighter areas,” Nayar said of Kohli’s mentality.
“Today was a different challenge. Mitchell Starc seemed to be a step ahead; he didn’t go for the full, fast deliveries that we are used to seeing, but instead hit hard down the field and drove through the batter,” Nayar observed.
‘There were specific plans against Virat,’ says former Indian coach
Despite the weak start to the series, Abhishek Nayar seems confident that Virat Kohli will reinvent himself and come back stronger in the next ODI against Australia. The second ODI will be played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
“Yes, there were definite plans against Virat. In white-ball cricket, unlike the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where there was more grass and movement, it was about variation of pace and angles,” he said.
“I’m sure Virat will come back, study his videos and look at the adjustments, maybe playing deeper at the crease or later towards third man could be better options. We saw him working on that during the BGT, and I’m confident he will think, adapt and come back with better plans to deliver the runs we all expect from him,” he added about Kohli’s greatness in the game.
Virat Kohli returns to Adelaide for second ODI
A rain-marred match in Perth saw the match reduced to just 26 overs, with India dismissed for 136 in their innings. KL Rahul and Axar Patel dominated in a partnership before Mitchell Marsh’s unbeaten 46* helped the Australians register a heartwarming victory.
Virat Kohli has missed runs this time but is expected to fire in the second ODI as play returns to the Australian island’s most loved track. Kohli has scored the most runs in Adelaide as he loves to bat on this surface.
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