IND vs ENG: 'Sitting Here On The Television, Everything Looks Easy; Show Me Any Of His Century Where He Plays That Shot': Ajay Jadeja's Verdict On Virat Kohli

In the second of the three-match series against England, Team India suffered a humiliating 100-run loss as the hosts tied the series at Lord’s.

While the Indian team’s performance with the bat was poor, Virat Kohli‘s performance has been a particular source of rising concern for the squad. Since his comeback to international play following the 2022 Indian Premier League, the Indian batsman has failed to surpass the 20-run threshold in any of the formats. 

Due to a groin ailment, Kohli was unable to play in the first ODI of the series. Kohli was removed by David Willey at Lord’s for 16 from 25 balls, unable to make an impact.

I Don’t Think Virat Kohli Has Changed: Ajay Jadeja

Jos Buttler had an easy catch as Kohli played on the front foot and nicked a length ball outside-off. Numerous people have given Kohli advice on how to improve his batting, including playing on the backfoot, as a result of his discouraging performances in the middle.

Ajay Jadeja, a former Indian batter, disagrees. Following the second ODI, Jadeja stated during a discussion on Sony SIX that Kohli has scored all of his century using the same method, therefore the issue is not with his batting style but rather with his attitude.

“Virat Kohli is a great player. Most of his runs came (from that technique). Even in his best form, he’s not the one who has ever cut the ball even when was scoring hundreds. If you look at him now and say, ‘has he changed anything?’, I don’t think he has.

It’s just that the scores aren’t coming. I would probably worry that he’s getting 20s and 30s, if he had gotten out in the first 10-12 balls, it’s fine because any batsman can get out then,” said Jadeja. 

Ajay Jadeja Feels Its The Mental Aspect For Virat Kohli

Jadeja continued and said that sitting on the television you see a different game altogether, but Virat has always been like that.

“I know people believe that he should play on the backfoot. Obviously, sitting here on the television, everything looks easy. You get 2 yards extra, and you can see a different line. But he has always been like that. If he had changed anything, you could say, “maybe the backfoot play is not happening.

“Show me any of his century where he plays the cut shot, and show me a shot when he has gone back and played to mid-on or mid-wicket. 

“For me, it’s the same Virat Kohli physically. I think it’s the mental aspect,” Jadeja further said. 

Being rested for the 3-ODI and 5-T20I West Indies trip, Kohli will be looking to maximise his performance in the last ODI in Manchester on Sunday. It will also be his final international participation, at least until late August. 

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