SA vs IND 2018: Virat Kohli Needs Someone to Point Out his Mistakes - Virender Sehwag

A day after former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith said Virat Kohli needs someone who can constructively challenge him to grow as a leader, former India opener Virender Sehwag has said the Indian team should have an individual who can stand up to the India skipper and point out his mistakes on the field.

Kohli’s captaincy has come under scrutiny lately in the aftermath of India’s dismal performances in the first two Tests of the ongoing series against South Africa. India had arrived in South Africa on the back of nine consecutive series wins, but their reputation counted for very little in the African country, as the Proteas outplayed them in the first two Tests to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Ever since India’s meek surrender, Kohli has been facing the heat with some eminent personalities also training their guns on him. Earlier this week, Ramachandra Guha, an eminent historian and former member of the BCCI’s Committee of Administrators, shed some light on the power Kohli enjoys. In his recent column, Guha insisted that almost every BCCI official ‘worships’ Kohli. And the criticisms have continued to come thick and fast for the 29-year, as his former teammate Virender Sehwag also trained his gun on him.

“I think, Virat Kohli needs some players who can point out his mistakes on the field,” Sehwag said in a show on ‘India TV’.

“Every team has four-five players who advise the skipper and help him avoid mistakes on the field. I don’t see that in the current Indian squad. There’s no one in the squad who can challenge Kohli’s selection decision in the dressing room. No player is up to his standard,” he added.

The batting legend said Kohli’s captaincy being affected by his high expectations from other players who are yet to reach his stature.

“Virat Kohli has reached a level where he can play well in adverse situations, and he expects the same from the rest of India squad,” the former swashbuckling opener said. “However, other players in the squad haven’t reached the stature where Kohli already is. This is affecting Kohli’s captaincy.”

“Kohli is just asking them to make runs like him. And there’s nothing wrong with it. I remember, when Sachin Tendulkar was the captain, he used to ask other batsmen to score runs. If I can score, then why can’t you?” he added.

With the series already lost, India will be desperate to win the upcoming third Test to salvage some pride and finish the series on a high before locking horns against the Proteas in the limited-overs games.

Speaking on what India needs to do to bounce back, Sehwag said:

“It’s important is to sit together and talk to make a strategy for the upcoming Test. No single player can lead you to victory, teamwork is important. Every player has to contribute.”

Here is the news feed:

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