David Lloyd criticized Kohli for appealing ‘manically’ on Day 4 of the first Test.
Former England cricketer David Lloyd was not happy with the way Indian skipper Virat Kohli went about with his appeal in the England second innings on Day 4 of the first Test. He believed that Kohli appealed ‘manically’ to influence the umpires in giving decisions in favor of India.
England earned a 241-run lead after the first innings and came out to bat on Day 4 even though they could have enforced a follow-on. Kohli didn’t hold back and was at his usual aggressive best when the visitors looked to score quickly and extend their lead past 400.
Lloyd wrote in his column for Daily Mail, “He (Kohli) was appealing manically on the fourth day and called for two shocking reviews in the middle session. The commentators said he was trying to lift his team. I reckon he was trying to influence the umpires.”
“We saw it after India had spent 190 overs in the field and now we've seen it with England. Opening the batting is as tough as it gets after you've been fielding that long in searing heat,” he added.
Virat Kohli famously left the Australian shores after Team India lost the first Test in Adelaide. Ajinkya Rahane took over the leadership and won the series 2-1. Lloyd believes that Kohli is under pressure as captain since then.
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“It hasn't gone unnoticed in India that Ajinkya Rahane led the side brilliantly in Australia and I reckon Virat Kohli is feeling the pressure,” the 73-year-old said.
England took their time in the final session of Day 4 despite the lead being well over 300. While a lot of former cricketers, commentators, and pundits believed that they should have declared early, former England captain Sir Alistair Cook had a different opinion on it. David Lloyd agrees with Cook’s words and he quoted it here too.
“Sir Alastair Cook, as a recent captain, summed up the dilemma of the declaration terrifically well on Channel 4. England will know that people watching, pundits and media will be shouting 'declare, declare, declare' but they will do it their way.
They are the ones who will face the consequences if they get it wrong and time will tell if they were right. If you're asking me I would have pulled out once the lead got to 400,” Lloyd said.
(With inputs from India Today)