Former India skipper Virat Kohli started the Mohali Test match against Sri Lanka on a positive note but failed to carry on the momentum as he went back to the dressing room scoring 45 runs. And now Kohli’s wait for a Test century has extended by over two years. His wait for the 71st international century has been stretched to 68 innings. It is also important to mention that his last century came against Bangladesh, in a pink-ball Test match, played in Kolkata.
Latif's suggestions
In a situation like this former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has opened up on the matter. According to him “it is time for him to score runs” and he thinks that Kohli “will be slamming a hundred either in this Test or in the next two-three games.”
“It is time for him to score runs. The bad patch has gone for too long. He has got a great chance here. People are very concerned over his century, but I think he will be slamming a hundred either in this Test or in the next two-three games,” Latif said on his official YouTube channel.
“He had internal problems and lost his captaincy, went out of form. The opposition also works on his weakness and they are bowling him according to the plan,” he further added.
Kohli's style
While analysing Kohli’s playing style, Latif said that Kohli “has to fasten his initial movement.”
“Some players don't believe in data when they're in a good patch. It is time for him to to go data analysts. The problem is he has an open stance and chasing deliveries outside off. The opposition has worked on this weakness.
“He has to lessen the number of dot balls he plays. He has to be more aggressive. He has to fasten his initial movement. He is farther from the ball with his open stance. Being late is fine, being very late is dangerous,” explained the former wicketkeeper-batsman.
In the first Test match of the series, played in Mohali, the hosts had secured a comfortable victory as they claimed a win by an innings and 222 runs. India’s Ravindra Jadeja was adjudged Man of the Match for his terrific all-round abilities.
