It has been a forgettable campaign so far for India after two consecutive losses at group stage. The eight-wicket loss to New Zealand has practically pushed them to the edge of the hill as they have slim chances of qualifying for semi-finals. After the defeat to the Kiwis, Virat Kohli did not show up for the press conference and send top-performer Jasprit Bumrah to answer tough questions. Before the Afghanistan clash on October 3, Kohli skipped the pre-match press conference and batting coach Vikram Rathour showed up which irked former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin.
Azharuddin felt that if Kohli was not present for the press conference, the head coach Ravi Shastri should have asked the questions.
“In my view, the coach should have come for the press conference. If Virat Kohli doesn’t want to attend the press conference, that’s fine. But, Ravi (Shastri) bhai should’ve attended the press conference. You can’t just attend press conferences after victories, you must give an explanation for defeats too. Sending Bumrah for the press conference was not right. Either the captain or the coach should have come for the presser or someone from the coaching staff,” Azharuddin told ABP news.
The 58-year-old feels that the skipper or coach should have taken the responsibility as there is no shame in losing a game or two. Also, he did not expected India’s premier fast bowler and their only wicket-taker to take the questions of the media.
“If you lose a game or two, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. But the captain or the coach must come and explain to the nation why the team lost. How can you expect Bumrah to answer these questions? If you are ready to face the media when the team wins then you should also step forward when your team is going through a rough phase,” the Hyderabad-born cricketer.
