After India’s ICC World Test Championship (WTC) loss to New Zealand, former Indian cricketer Arun Lal has come out in support of the skipper Virat Kohli as he has been criticised for his batting failure in the WTC 2021 Final at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton in England.
Kohli could manage just 44 and 13 as Indian team suffered the 8-wicket defeat in the WTC Final against New Zealand earlier this week in Southampton.
The Indian skipper was dismissed both times by Kyle Jamieson, as the right-hander was deceived by an in-dipper that trapped him out LBW in the first innings, while he poked at a ball outside off, nicking it to the wicket-keeper in the second innings.
Kohli's failure with the bat came under a lot of criticism in the WTC 2021 Final against New Zealand, Lal has come out in support of him by saying it's unfair to blame the India skipper alone since all Indian batsmen found it tough facing the Dukes ball in England.
Lal told the Telegraph: “We can't really say it was a bad shot. Your foot is two feet away from the ball and you still hit it for a boundary, everyone then says it's a classy shot. But if you miss a similar kind of ball and it takes the edge, people will then say, 'No footwork, playing away from the body. Horrible shot'. That's not the way you should deal with it. Besides, all our batsmen looked vulnerable against the Dukes ball. Why blame Virat alone?”
He has pointed out that Kohli played well in the first innings despite not having the practice before the WTC Final while hailing Jamieson for his splendid bowling in Southampton.
Lal signed off by saying, “Virat made a mistake, and that happens. There's so much pressure on him, while the ball was also moving a lot in such conditions. Prior to that, he was covering for the ball that came in as he was LBW last time. Now, if you are unlucky, you will nick it. Besides, that was a very good spell by (Kyle) Jamieson (in the second innings).”
(With The Telegraph Inputs)
