Aakash Chopra has stated that he is slightly concerned about the lack of runs from Virat Kohli’s willow. Virat Kohli managed just 13 runs in India’s second innings on Day 2 of the ongoing pink-ball Test in Bengaluru. He, however, had shown signs of returning back to form in the opening Test in Mohali, where he scored 45 off 76 balls which featured some stylish cover drives.
The former Indian skipper failed to reach the half-century mark in his three innings of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Virat Kohli was dismissed on 23 off 48 deliveries in the 1st innings and 13 off 16 balls in the 2nd innings of the ongoing day-night Test against Sri Lanka in Bangalore.
The former India captain, who averages 49.96 in Tests, has not scored an international ton in the last 74 innings and with every passing innings questions are being raised about his approach.
Aakash Chopra Worried About Virat Kohli’s Slump In Form
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra reflected on India’s second innings batting performance.
He said the following about Kohli: “I am slightly worried about Virat Kohli. We are not talking about his runs but everything else, like how he is playing, what sort of shot he played but the runs are not coming.”
While acknowledging that Virat Kohli was slightly unfortunate in the first innings, the former India opener pointed out that the modern batting great was at fault in the second essay.
Aakash Chopra explained: “He played a fuller delivery on the back foot, it was an error of judgment, first innings and second innings. In the first innings, the ball did stay a little low but in the second the ball was supposed to be played off the front foot.”
Virat Kohli was caught plumb in front of the wickets in both innings of the Bengaluru Test. While Dhananjaya de Silva’s delivery did scoot along the turf in the first innings, the Indian batting mainstay went back and played across the line of a Praveen Jayawickrama ball in the second essay.
Virat Kohli’s Test average has now slipped below 50 for the first time since August 2017. It’s now been 18 Tests without a century for Virat Kohli, who followed his 23 in the first innings with a 13 in the second innings of the Bengaluru Day-Night Pink ball Test match. It’s been more than two years since Virat Kohli scored an international ton, which came during a day-night Test versus Bangladesh in 2019.
Aakash Chopra Hopes IPL 2022 Will See A Reversal In Virat Kohli’s Fortunes
Aakash Chopra highlighted that Virat Kohli misjudging the length of deliveries has almost become the norm.
He observed: “If we see the first match as well, he played a fuller delivery off the back foot, when the ball went and hit the stumps. If an error of judgment is happening, there is an issue.”
The renowned commentator bemoaned the focus of the discussion moving from Virat Kohli’s runs to other things about the star batter.
Aakash Chopra elaborated: “It is not okay if we are talking about his attitude or relaxed behavior. Virat Kohli’s talk should be with his runs. If we are not talking with his runs, then things are not okay, honestly speaking, let’s say things as they are.”
Aakash Chopra concluded by hoping that the upcoming IPL 2022 would bring a turnaround in Virat Kohli’s fortunes. He reasoned that the 33-year-old would get at least 14 matches for the Royal Challengers Bangalore without the pressure of playing for India.
Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli welcomed the appointment of Faf du Plessis as his successor ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season.