Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali feels that Virat Kohli has not been practicing after he was dismissed lbw twice in first two ODIs against Sri Lanka. Ali feels that it is understandable if the likes of Shreyas Iyer or Shivam Dube struggle against Sri Lankan spinners but not Kohli who he considers world's number one batter.
In the first ODI, he got out lbw to Wanindu Hasaranga. In the second ODI, he survived an lbw call with the help of DRS against Akila Dananjaya. However, a few overs later, he was dismissed by Jeffrey Vandersay who replaced an injured Hasaranga in the lineup.
"A great batsman like Virat Kohli, the world's number one batsman, has been out LBW twice. It's understandable if it happens to Iyer or Dube, but Virat Kohli is Virat Kohli. This means that he is not in practice," Basit said on his YouTube Channel.
Basit slams Iyer, Rahul
After Kohli departed, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer got out cheaply to Vandersay as well contributing to the batting collapse. Iyer got out lbw whereas Rahul dragged the ball on to his stumps. Basit slammed the middle-order duo saying that they haven’t practiced at all.
"It did not seem that this is the batting lineup which rules the world. I feel that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul probably haven't even practiced. These people have come without practice," he added.
Basit’s advice to Gambhir
Basit also advised head coach Gautam Gambhir to replace Iyer with Rishabh Pant or Riyan Parag in the playing XI for the third ODI. Both Pant and Parag warmed the benches for the first two ODIs. He went on to say that India won’t do well in the Champions Trophy 2025 if they pick players based on their reputation.
"I don't understand what is Shreyas Iyer going to do with such performances. I think the time has come for Rishabh Pant, Riyan Parag, and Rinku Singh. India's 50-over domestic tournament will be vital for Gautam Gambhir because he will have to take some players from there. If India pick players based on reputation, the results won't be too good in the Champions Trophy," the 53-year-old opined.
India will face Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI of the series on August 7. They need a win to level the series and avoid bilateral series defeat to Sri Lanka in 27 years.
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