Virat Kohli Was Controlling Things, Ajinkya Rahane And Cheteshwar Pujara Look Under Tremendous Pressure - VVS Laxman
Published - 15 Aug 2021, 11:20 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:51 AM
Former India batsman VVS Laxman opined that of the trio of Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane struggling for runs in the ongoing series against England, the Indian captain has looked a class apart than the other two batters.
While their rut can’t be termed as out of form – as all three have put up significant scores in the last couple of Test series – they are clearly not performing to their potential. All three of them are averaging less than 26 since the start of 2020 and only one century – Rahane’s hundred at MCG – between them.
On Day 4 of the Lord’s Test, Kohli once again failed to convert his start into a substantial knock; his issues in the channel on and outside off-stump once again laid bare.
VVS Laxman asserted that while the trio’s underlying numbers are disappointing, it is Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane who have looked short on confidence and under much more pressure than Kohli, who, the former batsmen felt, has been dominating on the bowlers till his time at the crease.
“There is a massive difference. The reason I say that is till the time Virat Kohli is at the crease, he looks almost invincible as if he is the one who is dictating terms. Where Pujara is over defensive sometimes; Rahane is over-aggressive sometimes. Both of them give an impression that they can get out any ball; it’s the bowlers who are actually on top of them.
“Whereas till the time Kohli is on the crease – even in India on rank turners – I felt that he was the one who was controlling the things. So while all three of them have not performed to their potential, Rahane and Pujara look under tremendous pressure whenever they are on the crease. But Kohli doesn’t,” he added.
Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane fight back after Lunch:
India were reduced to 56/3 – effectively 29/3 – by England bowlers on Day 4 before Lunch. Wickets of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli clearly meant that the hosts were on top.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, the proven but fallible duo, have done well in the 25 overs post Lunch to restore some kind of party. At the time of writing, they have added 42 runs in 155 balls while batting with little risk, also having forced Joe Root to bring in his fifth bowler, Moeen Ali, who they would prefer to target over the seamers.
