"This means that he is not in practice" - Basit Ali on Virat Kohli's back-to-back LBW dismissals in IND vs SL ODI series
Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali believes ace Team India batter Virat Kohli has looked out of practice. The comments came after his dismal returns in the two ODIs against Sri Lanka.
Basit feels that this could be the only reason that a proven player like him has gotten out to LBW twice in as many outings. He highlighted that players like Shivam Dube and Shreyas Iyer getting LBW against spinners is understandable but not a player of Kohli's caliber.
Speaking in his latest YouTube video, Basit Ali said (from 8:38):
"A great batsman like Virat Kohli, the world's number one batsman, has been out LBW twice. It's understandable if it happens to Iyer or Dube, but Virat Kohli is Virat Kohli. This means that he is not in practice."
Kohli got off to a decent start in the ODI series opener, scoring 24 runs in the first game on August 2. However, his knock ended after being adjudged LBW against leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. The veteran batter perished to a leg spinner in the second fixture as well, falling to Jeffrey Vandersay on 14.
Basit also reckoned that apart from Kohli, the likes of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul also haven't practiced enough for the ODI series.
He added (from 0:34):
"It did not seem that this is the batting lineup which rules the world. I feel that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul probably haven't even practiced. These people have come without practice."
The first match of the series ended in a tie, with both sides scoring 230 in their respective innings. Sri Lanka trumped India by 34 runs in the second ODI in Colombo on Sunday, August 4, bundling out the visitors for 208. Jeffrey Vandersay stole the show with a stunning six-wicket haul.
Thus, the hosts are currently 1-0 up in the series with one match still to go.
"If India pick players based on reputation, the results won't be too good in the Champions Trophy" - Basit Ali
In the aforementioned video, Basit Ali also spoke about Shreyas Iyer wasting his opportunities. The right-handed batter has registered scores of 23 and seven in the ongoing ODI series.
Basit mentioned that Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir will have to look in the direction of youngsters like Rinku Singh and Riyan Parag, or rope in players who have done well in the 50-over matches in domestic cricket.
Stating that India will struggle in the 2025 Champions Trophy if they continue to select players based on reputation, the 53-year-old remarked (from 4:56):
"I don't understand what is Shreyas Iyer going to do with such performances. I think the time has come for Rishabh Pant, Riyan Parag, and Rinku Singh. India's 50-over domestic tournament will be vital for Gautam Gambhir because he will have to take some players from there. If India pick players based on reputation, the results won't be too good in the Champions Trophy."
The third and final ODI of the series between India and Sri Lanka will be played at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7.