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India's legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is worried about the way batting juggernaut Virat Kohli got dismissed in the second ODI against Australia in Adelaide. However, Ashwin is upbeat that Kohli will find form and score runs in the third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney. Ashwin warned that if Kohli fails to perform in Sydney, critics will go all guns blazing at the star batter for the team's series loss Down Under. He made it clear that he does not wish to see his former teammate placed in such a difficult situation.
R Ashwin on Virat Kohli's batting blip in Australia
Kohli's ODI return has unfortunately not gone as planned. In the first two matches, the former India captain has failed to open his run account, crashing to back-to-back ducks in both Perth and Adelaide. He has faced a mere 12 deliveries in the series, a disappointing start that has inevitably fueled speculation about his future in the ODI format.
Virat Kohli was forced to enter the crease early when captain Shubman Gill was dismissed at mid-off by bowler Bartlett in just the seventh over. Bartlett immediately targeted the incoming batter, exploiting Kohli's known vulnerability to deliveries outside the off stump by bowling a series of outswingers.
The decisive blow came on the last ball of the over. Bartlett delivered a straight one that nipped back sharply onto Kohli's pads. With the ball clearly heading for the middle stump, Kohli was forced to walk back immediately, recognizing that a review would have been futile.
“Xavier Bartlett bowled two outswingers and then straightened the line to trap Virat Kohli LBW and dismiss him. Now, this is a genuine pattern of dismissal for Rohit Sharma. You will always get to see this (in case of Rohit), whether it be against Kagiso Rabada in South Africa or even against Pat Cummins in Australia," Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
Virat needs more time in the middle: Ashwin
But Ashwin is specifically concerned about Kohli's form, stating that the most worrying aspect is the pattern of his dismissal. According to Ashwin, this pattern indicates Kohli's inability to accurately read the line of the ball, which is a significant issue for a batter of his caliber.
“The way that Virat got out to the ball that came back in, he actually missed the line. I saw during the innings break, Abhishek Nayar talking about how that was a great ball. But the one thing I would be worried about, what Abhi said was perfect, but Virat actually missed the line of the ball," he added.
“If we see it again, Virat actually planted his foot in line with the ball, so that is probably telling me a story that Virat needs more time in the middle to probably get his rhythm going," Ashwin concluded.
India will also look to earn a consolation win in the third ODI and prevent a series whitewash in Australia. Notably, the third ODI is scheduled to be played on October 25 in Sydney.
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