Virat Kohli,
Virat Kohli (Credits: Twitter)

India skipper Virat Kohli recently faced criticism for not batting in the ongoing warm-up game against New Zealand XI in Hamilton. The way the three-match ODI series against New Zealand panned out, everyone was expecting Virat Kohli to bat in the warm-up tie.

The India skipper had a rare poor series as his scores read – 51, 15 and 9. His poor form was one of the reasons why India suffered a humiliating whitewash in the series. Unsurprisingly, everyone was expecting Virat Kohli to bat in the warm-up game in order to get into his usual groove ahead of the two-match Test series against the Black Caps.

However, the India batting mainstay decided against it. Virat Kohli won’t come out to bat in the second innings of the three-day match either. In the wake of his decision, his critics have come down hard on him with some even saying that he might be holidaying with his wife.

Read More  "Don't know what's going to happen" - Virat Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir clash worries ex-India pacer

The reason:

Well, the reason behind Virat Kohli’s decision to not bat in the warm-up game is not because he is busy holidaying with his wife.  Yes, Team India did take some time off earlier this week but like others, Kohli is also back to work. But unlike his teammates, he decided against playing the warm-up game and instead practice in the nets.

Virat Kohli faced pacers Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Shami under the watchful eyes of head coach Ravi Shastri. The world number one Test and ODI batsman rarely fails to deliver and thus the team-management is assured that he would bounce back in the Test series.

Also Read: ‘Great…but’: Vijay Mallya Reacts To Royal Challengers Bangalore’s ‘New Decade New RCB’ Message

Talking about the warm-up game, India bowled out New Zealand XI for 235 after scoring 263 in the first innings. In reply, India were 59 for no loss in the second innings at the end of day two.