Pakistan's Salman Butt believes that India has to pull up their socks after their massive defeat in the third Test against England, saying it will be important for Virat Kohli to score a big hundred in the upcoming two Test matches in the ongoing five-match Test series.
Apart from struggling Kohli, Butt said India’s senior batsmen like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rohit Sharma must play big knocks for the India cricket team to get back in a positive mindset in the ongoing Test series following the crushing defeat in Leeds against England.
Butt said on his Youtube channel, “India has to pull up their socks. Their experienced players are due for big knocks. On this tour, they haven’t done it so far. Unless that happens, India won’t be in its comfort zone. It will be important for Virat Kohli to score a big hundred. Rahane and Pujara have got the occasional scores but they haven’t played a big knock as such.”
He further added, “Rohit Sharma has been looking great and has batted well. However, he has the capability of scoring 150-200, which he hasn’t done yet. Unless these senior players come up with big knocks, India will continue to struggle.”
On Kohli's struggle in England, the former Pakistan skipper feels the dashing right-hander is lacking concentration and due to which he was dismissed in a similar fashion in all his five outings so far.
Butt explained, “When he was in form, Kohli was scoring hundred after hundred. Yes, his off-time has extended longer than expected but he has been aggressive as always. Kohli is looking good but somewhere he is lacking in concentration, which is why he is chasing at those balls outside off stump.”
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He signed off by saying, “It is not the case with Kohli usually. He has excellent concentration levels but in this series, he has been dismissed in a similar fashion every time. When he drives outside the off-stump or even defends, he plays a little away from his body. If he manages to play closer to the body and does so consistently, runs will be around the corner.”
