Virat Kohli scored a first-ball duck in the first innings of the ongoing first Test against England in Trent Bridge. He edged an out-swinger from James Anderson to wicket-keeper Jos Buttler. Rahul was India’s best batsman on day two as he scored an unbeaten 57 from 151 balls.
Kohli, in contrast, went for a first-ball duck trying to reach the ball outside off-stump and was caught behind. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja said that Virat Kohli must learn from how KL Rahul played with soft hands throughout his innings and try to do the same.
Raja said that great players learn from youngsters in the team and improve their game. The former Pakistan batsman compared the two batsmen's approach.
“When KL Rahul was batting, there was proper alignment in his game. He was getting close to the ball, knew where his off-stump was. That is how batsmen need to bat in such conditions. Sometimes great players can also learn from younger ones. Virat Kohli can also learn from the way Rahul batted with soft hands. Kohli must not play with hard hands going ahead in the series. He needs to give himself time to settle in,” Ramiz Raja said on his YouTube channel.
Raja said that the balls Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli got were good balls. He, however, said that Pujara displayed poor footwork.
“Cheteshwar Pujara looked iffy out in the middle and ended up edging a ball outside the off-stump. Virat Kohli also played at the ball with hard hands. Both the deliveries were very good but Pujara’s footwork is weak. He is getting out too many times while standing at the crease. He is having to use the shoulder and arms to go on the front foot, which is causing him to lose control,” he said.
India ended day two on 125/4 before rain interpreted the play. Speaking about what to expect on day three, Raja said India can be in command if Rishabh Pant scores a quick half-century.
“England made a very good comeback after KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma’s rock-solid opening partnership. Anderson’s twin strikes brought England right back. But, if Rishabh Pant can fire and score a quick half-century and Rahul can go on to make a century, India can gain a massive advantage,” he concluded.
