India vs West Indies: Virat Kohli not playing risk-averse cricket is a concern, says Aakash Chopra
India Today
India vs West Indies: Former opener Aakash Chopra said Virat Kohli rode on his disciplined approach to become one of the greats of the sport but that risk-free approach has been missing in his game in the recent past.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra said Virat Kohli is no longer playing risk-averse cricket that he was known for once and his approach in the recent past is a cause of concern for India. Chopra said Kohli's discipline made him one of the finest batters to have ever played the game but it has been lacking from his game.
Chopra's comments came after Virat Kohli got out for 17 from 13 balls in the first T20I of a 3-match series against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday. Kohli got out while trying to hit left-arm spinner, Fabian Allen, into the stands. However, the former captain was caught at long-off.
India vs West Indies, 1st T20I: Highlights
Kohli looked disappointed with his dismissal as the star batter had begun well and was looking to anchor the chase of 158 following Rohit Sharma's exit. Kohli's wicket gave West Indies an opportunity to get back into the contest. In fact, India lost 3 quick wickets in the middle overs before Suryakumar Yadav and Venkatesh Iyer stitched an unbeaten 48-run stand to take the team past the finish line in 18.5 overs.
Kohli was not happy even when he was at the dug-out as he visualised playing a different shot for the delivery that he got out.
"Virat Kohli never used to do like this earlier, that if a six is not required, he never used to hit it and scored through singles or fours. He was risk-averse, that he will not play the risky shots at all. That is what Virat was all about but now he is not playing like that and that is a bit of a concern," Aakash Chopra said in his YouTube show.
"The way Kohli got out, discipline was making him the greatest batter on the planet, what would have happened if that shot had gone for a six? Nothing would have happened, you wouldn't have won the match because of that six. But when you get out, the team is also stuck slightly."
