"Don't Want To Sugarcoat": Dinesh Karthik's Blunt Virat Kohli Verdict Amid Form Concerns

29.10.2024 - 02:13 sports.ndtv.com

Team India faced a shocking 113-run defeat against New Zealand in the second Test in Pune. This loss turned out to be a historic one as New Zealand gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and ended India's 12-year-old winning streak at home in Test cricket.

In the second Test, India needed 359 runs to win but they got bundled out for 245 as the Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner wreaked havoc with his six-wicket haul.

Apart from this loss, another major concern for Rohit Sharma and co is the poor form of star batter Virat Kohli. In the two Tests, the 35-year-old batter miserably failed to leave a mark, despite playing a knock of 70 runs in the first Test.

In the second match, Kohli got dismissed by Santner for 1 and 17, exposing his struggles against left-arm spinners. Kohli has been receiving criticism from the fans and cricket experts for his abysmal show.

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West Indies wicket-keeper batter Nicholas Pooran is all set to be retained by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 20 crore, according to a report by Times of India. The report claimed that LSG have finalised Pooran as their first retention pick and he can become one of the costliest retentions in the history of the competition. Several media reports have already claimed that LSG will not be retaining KL Rahul but that does not make Pooran the automatic captaincy choice. According to TOI, LSG will wait for the auction to make that decision and they can also go for Rishabh Pant if he becomes available.

Virat Kohli "Wasn't In Control Of His Emotions" During His 1st Innings In Pune Test: Ex-Australia Star

Virat Kohli returned with poor scores of 1 and 17 during the second Test match against New Zealand at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. In his first innings, the right-handed batter was dismissed in an embarrassing manner. Kohli was cleaned up for one run off nine balls by left-arm orthodox spinner Mitchell Santner as he missed a full toss delivery while trying to work it on the leg side. Not only the batter himself, but the commenators and the fans were also left in shock over mode of the dismissal. Reacting to it, former Australia cricketer Brad Hogg has said that Kohli was not in control of his emotions during his short stay at the crease.

RCB Make Bold Virat Kohli Captaincy Decision After Talks With Shubman Gill Fail: Report

A major development has emerged from the Indian Premier League (IPL), with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) set to re-appoint Virat Kohli as the franchise's captain. Kohli, who captained the Bengaluru side from 2013 to 2021, decided to give up the responsibility after the season 14th edition of the T20 league. RCB were led by South African cricketer Faf du Plessis from 2022 to 2024. But, ahead of the mega auction, a big change is being brought in, with Kohli set to take the leadership role again.

"Virat Kohli Is Like A Duck Getting Into...": Ex-BCCI Chief Selector's Prediction For Australia Tour Is Massive

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia, former cricketer M. S. K. Prasad backed stalwart batter Virat Kohli to come back in to form during this series. In 2024 in Tests, Virat has scored 245 runs in five Tests and ten innings at an average of 27.22, with just one fifty and best score of 70. In the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 though, Virat has been rather solid. He has scored 556 runs in eight Tests at an average of 42.76, with a century and three fifties in 14 innings, with best score of 121.

"When You Mocked Me": Virat Kohli's Blunt Reason For Blocking Glenn Maxwell At RCB Revealed. This Happened Next

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has recalled the time when star India batter Virat Kohli had blocked him from Instagram. While the two have become good friends after playing four seasons together at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), there was a time when Kohli and Maxwell had their differences. For the unversed, RCB acquired the services of Maxwell for a whopping INR 14.25 crore ahead of IPL 2021. He enjoyed a successful season with the bat, scoring over 500 runs to help RCB reach the playoffs.

"Was I A Reactive Captain?": Dinesh Karthik Lambasts Rohit Sharma's Leadership In Pune Test

The echoes of India's series defeat against New Zealand is unlikely to lose its buzz in the coming weeks. It was for the first time in 12 years that the Indian team lost a Test series at home, losing the first two matches of the 3-Test series against the Kiwis. While India produced a commendable fightback in the first Test, the second match saw them decimated by the touring side. Dinesh Karthik, former India wicket-keeper, refused to spare skipper Rohit Sharma's blushes after the conclusion of the Pune Test.