Ex-Pakistan captain comments on Virat Kohli’s performance against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup. Former India captain Virat Kohli went wicketless against Sri Lanka, and his performance did not impress former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.
On Tuesday, India was dealt a major blow in the Asia Cup when Sri Lanka defeat them by six wickets. The defeat came just two days after Pakistan defeated them in the opening game of the Super 4 stage. India skipper Rohit Sharma’s scintillating 41-ball 72 against Sri Lanka in vain, as the islanders completed a 174-run chase with a ball to spare. Sri Lanka scored 14 runs off the penultimate over bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, nearly sealing the game in their favor. Except for Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav (34) none of the other batters could hit a boundary. Inzamam-ul-Haq was not impress with former India captain Virat Kohli’s performance.
Virat Kohli’s performance against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup
“I taken aback to see Virat Kohli bat. I surprise and disappoint, too, because a top player who appeared to be breaking all batting records appeared to be under pressure. He was tense as he played four dot balls. When senior players appear tense, such as Rohit Sharma’s reaction when KL Rahul ejected, it sends a message to the dressing room that you are under intense pressure “Inzamam state this in a video post to his YouTube channel.
“The younger players are under duress. It surprised me to see it. Seniors may feel pressure from within, but they do not show it through their body language. The same message is sent to the opposition. However, displaying signs of stress sends the wrong message to both one’s own team and the opposing team. Your team falls, while the opposition rises.”
The Sri Lankans got off to a fast start in the match, chasing a 174-run target, with openers Kusal Mendis (57 off 37 balls) and Pathum Nissanka (52 off 37 balls) putting on 91 runs at a rapid pace.
Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Danushka Gunathilaka (1) in the 14th over, leaving Sri Lanka at 110 for three. Sri Lanka suffer a body blow in the next over when Chahal got the big wicket of Mendis, who trap lbw in front of the wicket.
However, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka (33 not out) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (25 not out) stayed until the very end to complete the task for their team with a match-winning, fifth-wicket partnership of 64 runs.
Also Read: “He’s yelling, screaming, and looking uneasy,” says Shoaib Akhtar on Rohit Sharma.
