'India took it for granted': Ex-cricketer on how Kohli could have changed result
According to Mohammad Kaif, India demonstrated a lack of intensity in their recent Test match in Colombo. He emphasized that the inclusion of Virat Kohli could have sharpened the team’s focus. With Sri Lanka managing to secure a draw, India’s prospects for World Test Championship qualification have become more complex, with seven matches ahead that could prove to be a steep challenge.
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has argued that Virat Kohli's presence could have altered the outcome of the third and final Test match between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo. The match ended in a draw, preventing India from securing a 2-0 series victory. With the draw, India now trails Sri Lanka by a narrow 1-0 in the Test standings, making it more challenging for India to advance to the World Test Championship Final.
Kaif suggested that the absence of Kohli's leadership and intensity during the final day of the test match contributed to India's failure to capitalize on their strong position. The former batter highlighted how Kohli always communicated with his teammates and maintained high energy levels throughout extended periods in the field.
Kaif argued that India's energy levels were low, and they failed to actively create pressure to force wickets, believing that Sri Lanka's resistance would eventually collapse due to the assistance available to spinners.
Sonal Dinusha's unbeaten 133 helped Sri Lanka weather the storm, as the hosts managed to save the Test. Kaif emphasized that India needed to actively manufacture pressure rather than waiting for opportunities to arrive. He further pointed out that Kohli would have constantly pushed his teammates to stay aggressive and challenge the opposition, unlike India's approach, which saw confrontations mostly with Sri Lanka's bowlers.
Despite the draw, India now faces a tough stretch in their WTC campaign, with at least six out of the remaining seven Tests needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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