Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra shared his surprise while noticing Virat Kohli’s struggle in the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka. The Rohit Sharma-led team suffered a 2-0 series loss and this is the first time when India lost an ODI series against the Island country in 27 years.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli looked out of form and his struggle against the Sri Lankan spinners was palpable. Kohli was dismissed LBW in all three matches of the series and could only manage 58 runs in three matches at an average of 19.33.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Virat Kohli LBW three times in three innings against spinners. I don’t remember the last time it happened. He was playing the wrong line and also used up reviews each time. He wasn’t quite able to impose himself in the series.”
The renowned commentator also highlighted Shreyas Iyer’s struggle against spin. Iyer could only manage 38 runs in three ODIs at an average of 12.67 and failed to deliver against Sri Lanka while batting in the middle order.
“Shreyas Iyer is considered a good player of spin but even he was unable to counter the spinners twice and got dismissed to pace once. If our good players of spin have such performances, not sure why is it happening.”
Meanwhile, Rohit was India’s best batter in the series, top-scoring with 157 runs in three games at an average of 52.77 and a blistering strike rate of 141.44. But barring him, none of the other batters could show any resistance.
“Rohit Sharma seems a cut above the rest. It seems like the bowlers fear while bowling to him. But once he is dismissed, other batters are just not able to bat and this is a pattern India will be disappointed with,” he said.
India will next host Bangladesh for two Test matches and three T20Is.
