ENG vs IND: Indian Commentators Are Quite Harsh On Virat Kohli - Graeme Swann Defends Indian Batter's Dismissal To Ben Stokes

Former England spin bowler Graeme Swann is of the opinion that Indian commentators are quite harsh on senior Indian batter Virat Kohli on his footwork against England in the five-match Test series.

Kohli seemed in great touch with his willow, scoring 20 runs off 40 balls with four boundaries before he was stunned by a jaffa from England skipper Ben Stokes.

It was a good length delivery that extracted some extra bounce on the surface and made it unplayable for the former Indian skipper, who lunged forward to defend but the ball popped his glove and Joe Root, positioned at first slip, grabbed it seconds within keeper Sam Billings dropped it.

Watch: Ben Stokes Nips Out Virat Kohli With Venomous Delivery; India Stutter Further
Watch: Ben Stokes Nips Out Virat Kohli With Venomous Delivery; India Stutter Further

There was a certain proclivity in Virat Kohli’s decision to play off the front foot: Saba Karim

Former Indian national selector Saba Karim said Kohli tried to play the ball on the front foot and was outsmarted by the extra bounce.

“He (Virat Kohli) looked in fine touch today, far more comfortable than what we have seen him in recent past. But I felt there was a certain proclivity in his decision to play off the front foot all the time. When you push yourself to get onto the front foot, there might be an oddball with extra bounce that can get you out,” Saba Karim said on Sony Sports Network.

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If you can survive that delivery you are very lucky: Graeme Swann defends Virat Kohli

Swann, who played 60 Tests for England and had a few encounters against Kohli on the pitch, found that Indian experts often are sharp on their criticism when it comes to the prolific Indian batter getting dismissed for low scores. Swann defended Kohli’s dismissal and said it was a very challenging delivery to face even for the batter of the highest ranks.

“You can say what you want, I don’t care, who is batting in any period of Test history if you can survive that delivery you are very, very lucky. That is unplayable. It’s a lucky catch in the end,” Swann said on Sony Sports Network while responding to Karim’s rebuke. 

Graeme Swann (Image Credits: Twitter)
Graeme Swann (Image Credits: Twitter)

“Regardless, if you are looking to get on the front foot, back foot that ball is a ripsnorter. From an English point of view, I often find that whenever Indian commentators talk about Virat, I always think ‘wow they are quite harsh on him’. The standards are so high for Virat, I thought he was very at ease today. 

“Yes, he is looking to get forward, but he knows that the England bowlers, Broad and Anderson, are looking to pitch it up. Jimmy won’t waste his time bowling many short ones to Virat. I think it was clever batting,” Swann added.

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India finished Day 3 at 125/3 with Cheteshwar Pujara continuing his great run in the second innings in this England Test series with another fifty with great composure. Rishabh Pant (30 off 46 balls) supported Pujara in their unbeaten 50-run stand as India took a lead of 257 runs in the second innings.

Also Read: Watch: Ben Stokes Nips Out Virat Kohli With Venomous Delivery; India Stutter Further