Virat Kohli has failed to live up to the expectations in the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka. The star batter has registered scores of 24 and 14 in the first two games.
Apart from the low scores, Kohli hasn’t looked comfortable against the Sri Lankan spinners as well. While Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed him in the series opener, Jeffrey Vandersay got his prized scalp in the second ODI. He was out LBW in both the matches.
Team India are currently trailing 0-1 in the three-ODI series. While the first ODI ended in a tie, the visitors suffered a comprehensive 32-run defeat in the second match.
With India facing a must-win situation in the third ODI to level the series, there is a lot of pressure on Kohli to raised his game.
Ahead of the final ODI, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali expressed his shock on witnessing Kohli's struggle against spin in back-to-back matches. He also believes that the Indian stalwart has not entered the series well prepared.
"A great batsman like Virat Kohli, the world's number one batsman, has been out LBW twice. It's understandable if it happens to Iyer or Dube, but Virat Kohli is Virat Kohli. This means that he is not in practice," Basit said on his YouTube Channel.
According to Basit, the likes of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer may have arrived in Sri Lanka without practice on turning tracks.
"It did not seem that this is the batting lineup which rules the world. I feel that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul probably haven't even practiced. These people have come without practice," he added.
Basit Ali was particularly critical of Shreyas Iyer, suggesting coach Gautam Gambhir to pick Rishabh Pant or Riyan Parag over the middle-order star in the third ODI.
"I don't understand what is Shreyas Iyer going to do with such performances. I think the time has come for Rishabh Pant, Riyan Parag, and Rinku Singh. India's 50-over domestic tournament will be vital for Gautam Gambhir because he will have to take some players from there. If India pick players based on reputation, the results won't be too good in the Champions Trophy," he remarked.
The third and final ODI is slated to be held in Colombo on Wednesday (August 7).
