ENG vs IND: Virat Kohli Is Human And Can Have A Couple Of Low Scores - Jos Buttler Backs Indian Batter Amid Lean Patch

England’s new white-ball captain Jos Buttler backed out of form Indian batter Virat Kohli, saying he proves that he is a human and every player has a tough time in their career.

On a day when India’s batting unit collectively failed, Kohli was the one who showed the intent to score runs. Indian openers Rohit Sharma (0) and Shikhar Dhawan (9) failed to set the tone for a moderate chase of 247 and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant perished to a low full toss by Brydon Carse.

Virat Kohli’s innings vs England in second ODI

Kohli started his innings well with a couple of drives through mid-on and mid-off for boundaries against Reece Topley. Kohli, batting with a straight bat, found the ball past covers for his third four of the day. However, the Indian batter once again became victim to the ploy of the outside off-stump line.

England left-arm seamer David Willey bowled a good length delivery to Kohli, pitching it wide of the off-stump, and it was the same story, the batter pushed forward to defend it but ended up poking behind the wickets.

Topley finished his brilliant spell with career-best figures of 6 for 24 from 9.5 overs as England bowled out the visitors for 146 in 38.5 overs to square the series at 1-1.

Virat Kohli has been a fantastic player for so many years: Jos Buttler

When Buttler was asked about Kohli’s lack of runs over the years, the England skipper, dismissed the question and said the calibre of his player can fall for a string of low scores. However, Buttler, as an opponent, was pleased to see Kohli being quiet with the bat against them.

“I suppose in a little way it’s quite refreshing for the rest of us that he (Kohli) is human and he can have a couple of low scores as well, but look he has been one of the best players, if not the best player in ODI cricket in the world.

“So, he’s been a fantastic player for so many years and all batters, it just proves, go through runs of the form where they don’t perform as well as they can do sometimes,” Buttler said during a press conference after the second ODI at Lord’s.

“But certainly, as an opposition captain, you know a player of that class is always due, so you’re hoping that it doesn’t come against us.

“Yeah, incredibly surprised, as I said, his record speaks for himself. The matches he’s won for India and yeah, why would you question that,” he added.

England and India will play the third and final ODI match of this series on July 17 at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: “The Bad Time Is Not Ending” – Aakash Chopra On Virat Kohli Failing Again In 2nd India Vs England ODI