Indian batter Virat Kohli made a comeback in the second ODI against England after recovering from a groin strain, but yet again failed to get going with the bat after showing a glimpse of returning to form on Thursday (July 14) at Lord’s.
The right-hander smashed three boundaries before getting out to David Willey for just 16 runs, as Team India were bundled out for 146 while chasing 247 runs to suffer a heavy defeat of 100 runs against England in the second ODI at Lord’s. The third and final ODI will be played on July 17 (Sunday).
After Kohli’s another poor outing with the bat, former England captain Michael Vaughan said that the 33-year-old is lacking concentration and it could be revived if he takes a break from the game – which he would indeed get during the West Indies tour, as he was rested for the five-match T20I series.
Michael Vaughan said on Cricbuzz: “I watch Virat and every time he bats, he looks fine. Then he just surprises you when he gets out. It is not something that I see in his movement or technique that is a flaw, he is just making the odd mistake, probably concentration.”
The commentator continued, “I've said it before, he needs a breather from the game. At the minute, it looks to me like it's that concentration, that mental toughness about watching the ball and reacting. It is very very difficult if you are drained.”
Meanwhile, former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan didn't directly advise Kohli to take a break for Kohli, but said that the batter should do what he feels would work for him.
Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz, “Virat has to figure out exactly what it is going to take. If it means taking a break, so he should. If it means going out and playing more games, then that is the way you have to go about it. It is pretty much an individual call for him to figure out.”
He signed off by saying, “The intent is the same, the body language is the same, he will get the crowd involved, and his personality has remained the same.”
