Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman said India captain Virat Kohli “missed a trick” during the hosts’ crushing 6-wicket defeat against England in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match ODI series at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium in Pune on Friday (March 26).
Chasing the mammoth target of 337-run to level the ODI series, England openers Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy put on a century stand to give the tourists a great start, and then Bairstow was joined by Ben Stokes to carry forward the momentum to leave India with no chance of making a comeback.
Bairstow slammed 124 as well as added 175 runs for the second wicket with Stokes (99) to help England chase down the record target in just 43.3 overs with six wickets still in the bank against India on Friday.
However, at one point during the match, India had the opportunity to stage a comeback in the second ODI when England slipped to 287/4 as Stokes’ departure set by Bhuvneshwar Kumar triggered a flurry of wickets of Bairstow and Jos Buttler (0) within the next nine deliveries.
It was the time when Kohli should have continued with his fast bowlers instead of recalling Krunal Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav, who were having an off day, and India missed the chance, as England coped with the sudden setbacks with debutant Liam Livingstone (27*) and Dawid Malan (16*) powering the tourists to 6-wicket win over the hosts.
Reacting to India’s second ODI defeat, Laxman said he was a little surprised by Kohli’s decision and it might have backfired for India while hailing England’s unbelievable onslaught in the second ODI.
Laxman said on Star Sports: “It was very difficult to get (when 3 quick England wickets fell) at the time. Because they just had around 30-35 runs to get, even though you got the wicket of Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler. Prasidh Krishna came back and took two wickets, but I was a little surprised that Virat Kohli again went to Krunal Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav. If at all, India had to pull back the game, it was through the fast bowlers. So, I thought Virat missed a trick there.”
He continued, “I was a little surprised why Hardik Pandya did not bowl. Because you know Kuldeep Yadav and Krunal Pandya were under pressure from both the batsmen from both ends. You wanted to break that monotony. That's why I was surprised he was not even given 4-5overs. I know it is important to manage his workload, but winning this match is as important as managing his workload.”
The commentator further said of England’s batting, “But overall, unbelievable onslaught this of the highest quality. The power-hitting was unbelievable; the carnage from both Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes will be remembered for a long time. It was just pure class.”
The legendary batsman believes that Team India needs a 6th bowler and they must think about it for the series-decider against England on Sunday (March 28) in Pune.
Laxman explained, “It definitely does (not having the 6th bowler for India made a difference). Because you have to break the pattern. You can't always go back to Shardul, or Prasidh, or Bhuvneshwar. And whenever you were going back to Kuldeep or Krunal, the England batsmen were going hammer and tongs. So, that's where you need a 6th bowler.”
He signed off by saying, “He (Hardik) bowled so well in the 6th over. He was not only restricting runs, he was picking wickets. He gave away 16 runs and picked two wickets. I was a little surprised Virat did not mix around his bowlers. And he kept giving the ball to Kuldeep, who looked low on confidence. It is something India should think about for Sunday.”
