Virat Kohli Lacks Experience At Times While Leading: Sunil Gavaskar
Jan 9, 2019 at 3:43 PM
Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar believes Virat Kohli has a lot to learn when it comes to Test captaincy following their 4-1 loss to England.
Meanwhile, the hosts routed India entirely as they lacked consistency throughout the series. Speaking to India Today, Sunil Gavaskar noted that there were many instances when there were wrong field placements and bowling changes.
“He (Virat) still has a lot to learn. Like we saw in South Africa earlier and now in England too, there were instances when right field placements or timely bowling changes made by him could have made a big difference. That was missing again. It has just been two years since he took over as a captain so at times the lack of experience shows,” Gavaskar admitted.
However, Sunil Gavaskar is hopeful that Virat Kohli will put a good show when India visits Australia later this year. He also noted that Kohli’s experience was in Indian pitches, so he is facing some trouble outside the country.
“And whatever experience he had was that of Indian pitches where wickets fall quickly. He did not have the experience of breaking a good partnership. Hopefully, he will learn that by the time we tour Australia and won’t let their lower order run away with momentum,” Gavaskar added.
India doesn’t need massive changes ahead of Australia tour
India’s next overseas trip would be another big test in Australia later this year. However, the former India opener feels that too much of chopping and changing could only result in more drooping shoulders.
“You don’t need massive changes because that upsets the rhythm and confidence of the entire team. But you need to find the areas where you think there were weaknesses. They need to be corrected. The need of the hour is to be brutally honest, to see that this is the area we didn’t clearly measure up to.
There is a need to fill that place up. That is an area they need to look at very, very hard. We need to think about the opening pair, the middle order batsman and the all-rounders who have to be selected carefully depending on the pitch and opposition we are playing against,” Sunil Gavaskar concludes.