'Too Late Till Virat Kohli Comes...,’ Mohammad Kaif Warns India Ahead Of 2nd Test
Kohli pulled out of the first two Tests of the England series. (X.com)
Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif hopes that it isn't too late for Team India until talismanic Indian batter Virat Kohli returns to the squad for the remaining three Tests of the five-match series. Kaif's comments came after India's shocking defeat to a relatively inexperienced England team in the first Test in Hyderabad.
Kohli opted for a break from the ongoing Test series against England due to some unknown and unspecified reasons. Recognized for his unwavering commitment, Kohli's choice to skip the matches underscores the seriousness of the situation. Given his dedication to representing India, it is evident that such a decision would not have been made lightly and must be attributed to compelling reasons.
India dearly missed Kohli's presence, leading to an unexpected defeat despite establishing a substantial lead in their first innings. Although the seasoned batter is expected to return for the third Test, Kaif expresses concern that the comeback might be too late. Kaif suggests that if India faces defeat in the second Test, making a recovery, even with Kohli's return, could prove challenging.
"I hope it isn't too late till Virat Kohli comes (after the second Test). Dhruv Jurel or, on current form, even Sarfaraz Khan can get a look in. But in the absence of KL Rahul and Jadeja, the Indian batting will weaken, no doubt about that. Axar may have to bat at No.8, and that's why I feel Washington Sundar can get a look-in because they want batting till No. 9," said Mohammad Kaif in an exclusive interview with the Times of India.
India will be keen to return to the winning column as they face England in the 2nd Test of the ongoing five-match series at the YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, starting on Friday, February 02.
Although not all hope is lost for India with four matches remaining in the series, they must address numerous selection challenges to recover in the second Test in Vizag.
Ahead of the Vizag Test, team India suffered a huge setback on Monday, losing two of their key players to injuries. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja will both be absent from the second Test, prompting the BCCI to add the trio of Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, and Saurabh Kumar to India's squad. Things have gone from bad to worse. The Indian team was already without Kohli, and now they will be without two of their first-choice players. It will be interesting to see how they perform in Vizag without some of their key players.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
