Ajay Jadeja, who was considered as an acrobatic fielder in his playing days, believes simple catches are troubling Indian skipper Virat Kohli. India and Australia limited-overs series haven’t been quite memorable so far for Indian skipper under whom India lost ODI series but won T20I series.
With the bat in hand, Virat Kohli has hit two fifties on the trot in ODI series which India lost 2-1. Virat Kohli who is considered as a good enough fielder put down a couple of easy catches in back to back T20I matches.
Ajay Jadeja: Virat Kohli Has Taken Some Exceptional Catches, And Things Can Go Downhill At Sometime
In Canberra, Virat Kohli put down Australian opener D’Arcy Short at the cover and on Sunday on 6th December in Sydney, the India captain put down yet another simple chance which should be considered as the simplest of catches of Australian stand-in skipper Matthew Wade. However, he made up for his mistake by running the batsman out of the same delivery.
Former India batsman Ajay Jadeja considered an exceptional fielder himself back in his prime, explained the reason behind Virat Kohli’s lapses, believing it’s the easy ones that seem to bother the India captain.
“Virat Kohli over the years we’ve seen he’s taken some exceptional catches,” Jadeja said on the Sony Sports Network.
“When he has time to think, I think sometimes things do go downhill. In the last match, he had ample time, it’s got nothing to do with fitness. He’s just there waiting, waiting and waiting. I think at that point if time, the hand came in between him and that ball.”
Virat Kohli was fielding at the cover again in 2nd T20I when Matthew Wade, stand-in captain top-edged a ball from spinner Washington Sundar to him.
Kohli juggled the ball thrice before it eventually fell from his hands on the ground. Matthew Wade was expecting the easy catch to be taken. He was almost on his way back to the pavilion nearing non-strikers end, which allowed Virat Kohli to quickly recover his composure and throw the ball back to wicket-keeper KL Rahul, who ran the Australia captain out easily for 58.
Ajay Jadeja: Virat Kohli Was Off Balanced While Trying To Take Catch Of Matthew Wade
Ajay Jadeja added it’s important for Virat Kohli while mentioning the exemplary mistake, to keep focus otherwise these simple catches tend to look a lot tougher.
“Today, I think he had time but he was off balanced when he was just about to catch it. And these things happen. When you start dropping them, even these dollies, then, the ball appears like a bomb coming towards you,” Jadeja said.
Indian team however made up for fielding lapses after winning the T20I series with 1 match remaining. India won 1st T20I by 11 runs after Ravindra Jadeja scored an unbeaten 44 and his concussion substitute Yuzvendra Chahal picked 3 wickets.
In 2nd T20I on Sunday, 6th December, Australia posted a daunting 194/5. Still, Virat Kohli’s 40 and Shikhar Dhawan’s 52 laid foundation before Hardik Pandya scored an unbeaten 42 off 22 balls to see India win by six wickets. T Natarajan picked 2 wickets again after 3 wickets in the first T20I.