Virat Kohli Still Searching For Hundred For A While But Did What The Team Needed At Lord's, Says Ajit Agarkar

Former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar praised Virat Kohli for his batting in ongoing India vs England 2^nd Test at Lord’s despite not being at his fluent best form. The Indian skipper scored 42 runs on the Day 1 of the Test encounter before losing his wicket to Ollie Robinson. The right-handed batsman played a hard-fought knock of 42 runs along with a crucial partnership of 117-run with KL Rahul.

Kohli, who lost his wicket for a golden duck in the 1^st Test match against England, kept his patience against England and managed to pile up some runs on the board. In India vs England 1^st Test, Kohli lost his wicket on his very first delivery of James Anderson, getting out for a duck. Since, 2019, Kohli has not managed to score a century in international cricket.

Virat Kohli Did What The Team Needed: Ajit Agarkar

While speaking about the match at Sony Sports network, former India pacer Ajit Agarkar said that Virat Kohli did what the Indian team needed in the match.

“That’s what great players do (fight hard when they are not in form). Even great players have to do that. Unfortunately, for India, he nicked one towards the end. He was not at his fluent best but still got a partnership going,” Agarkar said.

“I don’t quite know whether he is in bad form because there hasn’t been a lot of Test cricket for him in the recent past. He played only one Test in Australia. Against England at home, he wasn’t at his best. Still searching for a hundred for a while but he did what the team needed, Agarkar further added.

After being told to bat first, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul build a powerful opening stand of 126 runs. When Virat Kohli arrived at the crease, India was two wickets down with 150 on the scoreboard. One or two more wickets would have put India under pressure but Virat Kohli managed a good partnership of 117 runs with KL Rahul.

KL Rahul smashed a century in the match and remained unbeaten on 127 at the stumps of the Day’s play. Rohit Sharma also smacked a great knock of 83 runs in the match. After Virat Kohli lost his wicket at 42 runs, Ajinkya Rahane came out to bat. At the stumps of Day 1, India reached a total of 276-3 with KL Rahul (127*) and Ajinkya Rahane (1*)  at the crease.