Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former England captain Michael Vaughan opined that India captain Virat Kohli is extremely anxious and desperate to score runs after he was dismissed for 7 runs in the first innings of the third Test between India and England at Leeds.

India was rocked hard by James Anderson in the first session itself after Kohli won the toss and chose to bat first. Anderson removed KL Rahul in the first over for a duck and then Cheteshwar Pujara for 1, before getting Kohli to knick a ball to Jos Buttler leaving India 26/3 in no time.

Virat Kohli completed 50 innings without scoring a century in international cricket and this extended run has put questions on his mental ability as well, as many are equating this run of his with his 2014 slump of form when he had made 135 runs in 10 innings in England.

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Virat Kohli, James Anderson
Virat Kohli, James Anderson. Image Credits: Twitter

Virat Kohli Anxious, He’s Desperate, He’s Going To The Ball A Little Bit Too Soon: Michael Vaughan

Following a poor string of outings in the first two Tests, Virat Kohli’s misfortunes continued at Leeds as the Indian team was all out for 78 runs. Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Kohli has not been patient so far on the tour. He has failed to settle in and wear out the bowlers.

James Anderson, Virat Kohli
James Anderson after picking up Virat Kohli’s wicket. (Image: Twitter)

“Virat Kohli is in no mental state at the minute. I’m looking at the way he’s playing throughout this series. He’s anxious, he’s desperate, he’s going to the ball a little bit too soon. When he got all those runs last time he was here, he was patient, he left the ball, he wore Anderson down, he waited for those straight balls. He’s not done that so far in this series,” Vaughan told Cricbuzz.

India Are Backing Some Players Purely On Reputation: Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan not only talked about Virat Kohli’s woes but also opined on India’s middle-order woes. The famed trio of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane has not been scoring runs which have affected the whole form of the batting unit.

Vaughan further felt that India is picking batsmen on the basis of reputation rather than merit despite having options in the form of Suryakumar Yadav and Hanuma Vihari.

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Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara
Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara (Image Credit: Twitter)

“I think India are selecting some of these players now purely on reputation. Rahane and Pujara played okay in the second innings at Lord’s. India are backing these players purely on reputation,” Vaughan said.

England ended day 1 on 120/0 with both openers Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns scoring unbeaten half-centuries.

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