"Just played the worst shot of his career " - Sanjay Manjrekar on Virat Kohli's ugly dismissal in 2nd IND vs NZ 2024 Test
Team India's ace batter Virat Kohli failed to make a significant impact with the bat on Day 2 (Friday, October 25) of the side's ongoing second Test against New Zealand in Pune. The seasoned campaigner scored just one run off nine balls before perishing in the 24th over of the innings.
Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner dismissed Kohli off a low full toss that the former India captain attempted to whip towards the leg side. However, he played down the wrong line and was clean-bowled.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar suggested that Kohli himself would be aware that it was one of his worst shots to get out. He sympathized with the veteran batter, pointing out that he came to bat with a lot of intent as usual.
Taking to the microblogging platform after Kohli's wicket, the cricketer-turned-commentator wrote:
"Oh dear! Virat will know himself that he has just played the worst shot of his career to get out. Got to feel for him…coz as always he came out with solid & honest intent."
Virat Kohli would aim to redeem himself by doing well in the second innings, just as he did in the Test series opener at Bengaluru. He was dismissed for a duck in the first innings of the Bengaluru Test but made amends with an impressive 70-run knock in the subsequent essay.
India are under pressure after losing Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant in quick succession
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, New Zealand posted 259 in their first innings, courtesy of Devon Conway (76) and Rachin Ravindra (65). Washington Sundar was the pick of the Indian bowlers, bagging a stunning seven-wicket haul.
India lost skipper Rohit Sharma for a duck towards the end of Day 1. Shubman Gill was the first wicket to fall on Day 2. He was dismissed in the 22nd over after a 30-run knock.
Virat Kohli departed soon after in the 24th over. To make matters worse for the hosts, Yashasvi Jaiswal (30) and Rishabh Pant (18) were also dismissed soon after.
At the time of writing, India are reeling at 85/5 in 31 overs, trailing New Zealand by 174 runs.