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'Kohli's Form Not A Concern': New Zealand Legend Backs Out Of Form Batter To Deliver In BGT

Anurag Dasgupta

Kohli walking back after getting dismissed [Source: PTI] Kohli walking back after getting dismissed [Source: PTI]

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Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull attributed India’s shocking series defeat to their batsmen’s inadequacies against spin bowling but he was not ready to write off underwhelming star batter Virat Kohli.

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner grabbed 13 wickets as the Kiwis walloped India by 113 runs in the second Test here on Saturday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. He was the chief destroyer with the ball and troubled the Indian batters with ease, as the likes of Kohli and Rohit Sharma struggled against the off-break bowler.

Kohli’s modest run in the ongoing series was one of the talking points, as the veteran batter succumbed to spin three times in four innings. But Doull did not read too much into the former Indian captain’s dismal form, and said it would not have an effect in the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia.

“There're issues against spin but he's not the only one. You're not going to find those (spin-friendly) conditions in Australia. He (Kohli) had a great series Down Under. “He plays quick bowling as well as he has for the last four or five years. So, I don't think it's a concern,” he noted.

Doull backs Rohit Sharma's tactics in ongoing series

The 55-year-old also defended Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for his defensive approach and placed veteran bowlers in the side as culpable for the series defeat. Rohit elected to bat first in the opening Test under overcast conditions and his side got bowled out for a pathetic 46, which eventually transpired into an eight-wicket defeat.

The second Test saw a different scenario as New Zealand skipper Tom Latham won the toss and smartly elected to bat first, realising that batting fourth on Pune pitch would be a tough task.

“I think winning the toss is crucial. For Rohit, the wrong decision at Bangalore was crucial. He's admitted to that as well. New Zealand seamers took advantage of that,” he said.

The third Test between the two teams will begin from November 1 at the Wankhede Stadium and the Rohit Sharma led side will be eager to bounce back after back-to-back defeats.

(Inputs from PTI)