Get rid of Kohli? Indian cricket legend's shock call
India legend Sunil Gavaskar has taken a swipe at Virat Kohli, saying India should consider appointing a new captain if they lose the series against Australia.
Kohli’s defiant century in Perth reinforced his status as the world’s best batsman but the superstar has come under scrutiny for his behaviour and tactics during the second Test, which Australia won by 146 runs to level the series.
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India’s decision to select Umesh Yadav as a fourth quick to replace injured spinner Ravichandran Ashwin backfired badly when man of the match Nathan Lyon claimed eight wickets for the match to spin Australia to victory.
Known for his unprecedented power within the Indian team, Kohli refused to acknowledge the selection was a mistake.
He said India would have considered playing four quicks even if Ashwin – boasting 342 Test wickets as well as four centuries – had been fit.
Former skipper Gavaskar said India’s recent history of “selection blunders” meant India would have to think seriously about whether Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri were the right men for the jobs if Australia went on to win the series.
The New Indian Express reported Gavaskar had made the claims on Hindi TV station Aaj Tak.
“It has cost the team because it has lost matches which could’ve been won if the proper selection had been made,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying.
“They have to look at the combination of their team, look at the hole that needs to be plugged and pick the men to (do so).
“If they do that then they can certainly win the next two matches but if they don’t, and that too against this Australian team which does not have Steve Smith or David Warner, then the selectors need to think whether we are getting any benefit from this lot – the captain, coach and support staff.”
Ashwin is expected to replace Yadav in India’s XI for the Boxing Day Test, while allrounder Hardik Pandya is in the frame to replace Hanuma Vihari at No.6.
Young gun Prithvi Shaw’s series-ending ankle injury is likely to mean a reprieve for struggling openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay.
