Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif reminded the huge concern in Virat Kohli’s batting against spin bowling in recent times. The star batter looked vulnerable against quality spinners in all formats of the game. The former Indian cricketer skipper found no clue against Sunil Narine as he was clean bowled at icon Edens Gardens during KKR vs RCB clash.
The 42-year-old reviewed the game between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders for Star Sports. Kaif analyzed Virat Kohli’s weakness against the spinners–and also warned that LSG’s mentor Gautam Gambhir would’ve kept close eyes on this match, as RCB will play their next game against Lucknow.
“What has happened to Virat Kohli against spin? He is getting out to spin in Test matches and ODIs, and here also he got out to spin. It has become a concern and Gautam Gambhir would have been watching this match. The next match is against Lucknow,” Mohammad Kaif said.
Mohammad Kaif further elaborated that Virat Kohli failed to pick the ball from Sunil Narine, as there was a massive gap between the bat and pad, stating that ball pitching outside the off stump was his weakness.
“It is absolutely clear that he is unable to pick the ball in the air. The attempt was to play on the leg side and there was a huge gap between the bat and pad. The ball was not even close to the bat. He closed the face of the bat. The ball was pitched outside the off stump. That’s his weakness as well,” Kaif added.
Virat Kohli struggled against spinners, especially the off-spinners of late. He has been dismissed by Todd Murphy, Nathan Lyon, and Moeen Ali in International cricket recently, and his strike rate against spinners has also reduced over the years.
The Bowling Was Good But This Will Hurt RCB – Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif expressed his disappointment over Faf du Plessis’ shot selection in the match, as he dragged the ball from the outside off-stump onto stumps. Kaif believes that it is important to play straight on this kind of wicket taking a cue from Shardul Thakur’s explosive innings.
“Faf du Plessis also tried to play from outside the off-stump. Playing straight would have been better planning as Shardul Thakur did in this match. All the batters got bowled. The ball pitched and came in. The bowling was good but this match will hurt.”
Royal Challengers Bangalore lost their 9 out of 10 wickets to Kolkata Knight Riders spinning trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, and Suyash Sharma.