Virat Kohli could score just a single on his T20I return in the second T20I against England at Edgbaston on Saturday, falling to debutant Richard Gleeson on the third ball he faced.
Virat Kohli was perhaps the most notable inclusion from the four changes India made to its XI in the second T20I against England at Edgbaston on Saturday. Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah – each of whom had played the fifth rescheduled Test at the same venue – replaced Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh in the line-up.
While there were speculations that Kohli would partner skipper Rohit Sharma at the top, the former India captain came in at the usual No.3 position, with RIshabh Pant promoted to open in a surprise move.
Kohli had the platform laid, walking in at the fall of Rohit’s wicket in the fifth over, with India at 49/1, but he could only manage a single on his return. The right-hander got a top-edge off an attempted slog against debutant Richard Gleeson, and the ball spooned towards Dawid Malan, who ran behind from backward point to complete the catch.
Also Read: ‘If R Ashwin can be dropped from Test side, why not Virat Kohli from the T20I XI’ – Kapil Dev
Gleeson, who had dismissed Rohit earlier, sent back Pant off his very next ball, as India slumped from 49/0 to 61/3 within a period of over-and-a-half.
Kohli replaced the in-form Deepak Hooda at the No.3 position, after the latter had registered his maiden T20I hundred against Ireland last month and had got 33 off 17 in India’s 50-run win in the series opener in Southampton.
The former India captain’s yet another failure sparked numerous reactions on social media.
What Kohli did today was right. Regardless of result.
— Himanish Ganjoo (@hganjoo153) July 9, 2022
It is time for @imVkohli to take sabbatical. He is just blocking the place only to score 10-15 which is unacceptable. The young guns are performing better than him. @BCCI #ENGvsIND
— BIKASH PANIGRAHI (@rockin_bikash) July 9, 2022
I’m a kohli fan but now I think Kapil Dev sir was right, the current form of Kohli is not deserve to be an 11#ViratKohli #KapilDev
— 𝒜𝓃𝒶𝓈 𝓂𝒾𝓇𝓏𝒶 ♥︎ (@_AnasMirza) July 9, 2022
Kohli and pant should be dropped from T20 internationals,Ishan,Kl,Samson,Hooda could be replacements
— Navneet Yadav (@Navneet13221245) July 9, 2022
He doesn’t play that sort of a shot very early in his inngs but yeah strange things happen when a batter is past his prime years.
Peak Kohli would’ve played this ball straight or through covers not a whack across the line.
— Mani (@Manisays56) July 9, 2022
You thew out inform Deepak hooda for this Virat kohli and what a failure this Virat kohli has been.
This man will be regular player in worldcup xi despite his lack of form currently.
— Ash Rockzz 🇮🇳 🔱 🕉 ⚔ 🔥 ⚡ (@ViratHindu24) July 9, 2022
Solidarity for Rohit’s wicket led to Kohli’s wicket, solidarity for Kohli’s wicket led to Pant’s wicket.
Slightly delayed but solidarity for Pant’s wicket led to SKY’s wicket. #SKYFALL
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) July 9, 2022
Very True!! 🥺🥺 We Dropped In Form Deepak Hooda For Him & He Goes Out On 1😥 I’m So Scared About His Cricket Future.
— ❤️ 𝐀𝐢𝐟𝐚𝐳 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐤𝐡ᵀᴹ 🇮🇳 ❤️ (@Aifaz_Sheikh_) July 9, 2022
