Shastri, Gavaskar, Karthik share sharp reaction on Virat Kohli’s ‘poor shot’ selection in Ind vs Aus 3rd Test

The 3^rd Test between India and Australia has been an eye opener for Indian batters in many sense. While the nature of the pitch was supposed to trouble Australian batters and make life easy for the host, Rohit Sharma and Co. have largely struggled in both the innings of the game.

However, former Indian skipper Virat Kohli has looked in his elements, more composed, settled and hitting the ball well. But, the legend has continuously failed to convert good start into a big one. In the first five innings, Virat Kohli has just scored 12, 13, 22, 44, 20.

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The 2^nd innings of the 3^rd Test matched demanded Kohli’s special in Indore and the 34-year-old started off well but one of his shot selection on Day 2 turned the game on its head.

It was 23^rd over of India’s innings when Kohli was quick to spot the length, but left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann came close to the stumps. Instead of going straight towards mid-on, squared up way too much for comfort and tried to work the ball squarer, the ball kept a tad low and struck him in line with the stumps.

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The umpire raised his finger, and livid Kohli was a sight none from the Indian cricket fraternity wished to watch. However, Kohli’s mistake was well pointed by former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, and Dinesh Karthik – trio were doing commentary at that time.

“Poor shot selection. The ball was not bouncing much, the better option would have been if he had targeted mid-on with a straighter bat,” Shastri said.

Meanwhile Gavaskar noted that Kohli does punch the ball very well with the bottom hand and this time ‘he was looking to play its squarer.’ “He missed it completely,” Gavaskar said.

Veteran Indian wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik highlighted that Kohlu didn’t take the DRS, which tells that he was very aware that probably he was too deep in his crease.

“He walked up to Pujara, who him a grin. I think it felt out to him. It would have been the umpires’ call. Normally an umpire would give this out just on the shot played,” Shastri added.

After India batters were dragged out of the field by Aussies and bundled out the host at 163, giving Australia just 76-run target to win the match when play resumes on Day 3.

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