Former Indian batter and cricket pundit, Wasim Jaffer, said that Virat Kohli has been targeted outside off stump all the time. Now it’s up to the star batter how to get rid of his habit of playing balls outside off-stump.
His comments came after Kohli got a good start, but failed again to counter England’s trap and was eventually dismissed for 16 runs off 25 balls in the second ODI at Lord’s on July 14.
The right-hander missed the first ODI due to a groin strain, but returned in the second ODI and smashed 3 fours, which increased the hopes of millions of seeing the old Kohli back, but David Willey made his way back to the pavilion with a full-length ball at Lord’s for just 16.
Wasim Jaffer said during a discussion on ESPNcricinfo: “Virat Kohli again looked good, but teams will keep bowling there (outside off stump) all the time. He needs to understand that, especially those lengths where he can't get runs off. Anything short, he can dab it to the third man. Anything full is fine as well. But he needs to understand which deliveries he must leave.”
Meanwhile, Kohli has been rested for the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies next month, and Jaffer wasn’t impressed with the move by the BCCI and the national selectors.
He signed off by saying, “Every innings is going to pile up pressure on him and probably put doubts in him as well. People keep reminding him. I am sure it adds up to him. If he had played those T20Is, he would have been in touch. I don't know if this break will help him. Next innings will be very crucial for him.”
