Rohit Sharma has fitness issues, Virat Kohli can't tackle spinners: Ex-Pakistan cricketer makes explosive claims

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has given a huge statement on batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after India's disappointing defeat against Sri Lanka in the third ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

It was a below-par performance from the Indian batters as were unable to handle Sri Lankan spinners and were bowled out for just 138 in pursuit of a target of 249 runs set by Sri Lanka. Something similar happened in the first and second ODIs as well where Sri Lankan spinners had Indian batters in trouble.

Despite having a star-studded batting line-up with the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Indian batters continued to struggle on spin-friendly surfaces in Colombo. Sri Lankan spinners made full use of the conditions and turned the game in their favor.

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"Rohit Sharma has fitness issues" - Basit Ali

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali spoke about the match and India's shocking defeat. In a huge claim, Basit Ali claimed that Rohit Sharma was playing quickly because he had fitness issues. He added that Rohit should have looked to bat longer since he was in form.

"Rohit Sharma has fitness issues. Nobody will believe me. He wants to score quickly. I know what it takes to field for 50 overs in humid Sri Lankan conditions. Afterwards, problems arise when you come to bat. But when you are in good form, you should have batted longer. It's because of the fall of his wicket, Indian batting has collapsed in all the three matches," Basit Ali stated.

"He could not tackle the spinners" - Basit Ali on Virat Kohli

Basit also spoke about Virat Kohli's poor form. The former Pakistan batter mentioned that it was unbelievable to see Virat Kohli getting out to spin in all three matches. He further added that it was a poor batting performance from India.

"We talk about Virat Kohli. Even today, he scored 20 runs. But what's the benefit of those runs? Nobody could have thought that Virat Kohli would get out to a spinner in all the three matches. He could not tackle the spinners. There is no Suryakumar Yadav to play the sweep shot. It was poor batting from India throughout the series," Basit added.

Rohit Sharma emerged as the highest run-getter

Rohit Sharma had a good series with the bat. The Indian captain scored 157 runs in three matches at an average of 52.33 and a strike rate of 141.44. While other batters struggled to score runs at a run-a-ball, Rohit's strike rate stood out by a long margin. He scored two fifties in the first two matches and emerged as the highest run-scorer of the series.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli had a difficult time with the bat. The 35-year-old scored just 58 runs in three matches at an average of 19. Kohli's struggles against spin opened the doors for Sri Lanka who ran through India's middle order with ease.

The first ODI of the series ended in a tie while Sri Lanka won the second match. With a win in the final ODI, Sri Lanka claimed the series 2-0 and finished a historic series win over India after 27 years.