SA v IND 2021-22: Sunil Gavaskar critical of Virat Kohli’s ‘loose shot’ in second innings at Centurion

The Indian captain got out while chasing a delivery wide outside the off-stump.

Virat Kohli | Getty

Virat Kohli's poor run with the bat continued as he got out while chasing a ball outside the off-stump in the second innings of the ongoing Centurion Test against South Africa.

The Indian captain was dismissed on the first ball in the post-lunch session after he launched himself for a cover drive off debutant pacer Marco Jansen.

Kohli had thrown his wicket in a similar fashion during the first innings as well. While he scored 35 in the first essay, he made 18 in the second dig.

Speaking on air, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar questioned Kohli's shot selection, saying he was surprised that the skipper chased a wide delivery without giving himself time to settle down after the lunch break.

“(It was) bowled at an angled across outside off stump, look at how far he played. Pretty similar to the first innings dismissal,” Gavaskar said while commentating.

“It was a loose shot, first ball after lunch. Every batsman gives himself a little time, especially in Test cricket to get his feet moving. Even if it's a drink interval, you need to reset your batting. Kohli, being such an experienced batsman… maybe he was looking to get quick runs to get declaration done. But often, when teams look for declaration, especially in Indian cricket history, they'd be all out,” he added.

Gavaskar further pointed out that Kohli couldn't get the perfect angle to drive the ball since he is a bottom-hand player.

“Look how far away this ball is, he could've left it all alone. First ball after lunch! He's a predominantly bottom-hand player, the bat has an angle to it which gets him out,” he remarked.

With twin failures in the Centurion Test, Kohli finished the year 2021 without an international hundred. His last three-figure mark was against Bangladesh in a Test match in November 2019.

(With Hindustan Times inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 29 Dec, 2021

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