IND vs WI: It Was A Bit Unusual Shot From Virat Kohli: Deep Dasgupta On Kohli's Dismissal In First T20I

Former Indian player Deep Dasgupta said Virat Kohli played an unusual shot that led to his dismissal against West Indies in the first T20I match at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

After winning the toss and asking the visitors to bat first, India was set for a moderate target of 159 to chase. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan put 64 runs for the opening stand before the former departed in the eighth over to Roston Chase.

Kohli, who has been out of form with the bat, scored 17 off 13 balls before holing out to Pollard at long-off while attempting to loft left-arm spinner Fabian Allen for a big shot.

It was a miscalculation from Virat Kohli: Deep Dasgupta

Dasgupta said Kohli was expecting the ball to turn and miscalculated while playing the shot against Allen. The former Indian cricketer said the results would have been different had the ball connected Kohli’s middle of the bat.

“A bit unusual shot from Kohli. I think it was a miscalculation from Kohli, because there was not much turn on the surface, especially after the onset of dew. The bowlers were also not looking for turn; they were just firing it in,” Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel. 

“I think Kohli looked for a turn, but the ball didn’t turn. and it found the inside half of the bat. He tried to go towards cover or wide of mid-off; had he tried to play it straight, he would have found the middle of the bat,” he further said. 

Virat Kohli is not out of form: Deep Dasgupta

Kohli could manage just 26 runs from three innings at an average of 8.67 in the ODI series against the West Indies. Kohli’s batting form has been the talk of the town with experts constantly reminding him of not scoring an international hundred for more than two years. However, Dasgupta believes that Kohli is not out of form but just happens to get unfortunate with his shot selection.

“Kohli is not out of form. The time he was out there, he never looked out of form; he looked alright. Maybe at times, he is not picking the right option; you can call him unlucky. I think he should be given time to adjust to his new role in the team as just a player. It takes time to mentally adjust,” Dasgupta commented. 

India will play the second T20I match against West Indies on Friday (February 18) at the same venue.

Also Read: IND vs WI: We Are Not Even Talking About Virat Kohli, That Is Hurting Me – Aakash Chopra After Kohli’s Manner Of Dismissal In First T20I