IND v NZ 2023: “Must be disappointed by his dismissals,” Jaffer says Kohli struggling to play leg-spin for quite a while

Kohli has been dismissed by Mitchell Santner in the first two ODIs against New Zealand.

By Salman Anjum - 23 Jan, 2023

Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer expects Virat Kohli to bounce back in the third and final ODI against New Zealand, slated to be held in Indore on Tuesday (January 24).

After slamming two centuries in the last 50-over series against Sri Lanka, Kohli has failed to make a mark versus New Zealand, registering scores of 8 and 11 in the first two ODIs before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner.

Speaking with ESPNcricinfo, Jaffer said Kohli must be disappointed by his dismissals in the series.

“Virat Kohli must be disappointed by his dismissals in this series. He has been struggling to play leg-spin for quite a while now whether it be Adil Rashid or Adam Zampa, and now he has gone out to left-arm spin of Mitchell Santner two matches in a row,” said Jaffer.

"I expect Kohli to make a good comeback in the third ODI keeping the big picture in mind. Australia are touring soon and they have a solid bowling unit with Nathan Lyon also there. So, the expectation is always there from him to score runs and do well,” he added.

Wasim Jaffer also praised Mohammad Shami for his bowling display in the second ODI at Raipur, adding that he was well supported by Mohammed Siraj and Hardik Pandya.

“I thought he bowled really well, complimented by Siraj and even Hardik Pandya. So I thought India bowled really well. Even though it seemed like Rohit Sharma was in two minds about bowling first, and took a lot of time, even Tom Latham said that he would have bowled first,” said Jaffer.

Having won the first two ODIs, the Men in Blue have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

By Salman Anjum - 23 Jan, 2023

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