Virat Kohli has to show more discipline, says VVS Laxman
What's the story
Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has been struggling in the ongoing tour of New Zealand. On Sunday, the 31-year-old was dismissed for 19 in the second innings against the Kiwis on Day 3 of the first Test in Wellington. Kohli had earlier managed two in the first innings. Legend VVS Laxman said Kohli has to show more discipline.
Plan
Kiwis had a distinct plan for Kohli
The Kiwis were terrific in the manner they went about the business when India batted. The pacers had a plan and it paid off. They targeted the Indian skipper full around the off stump and then resorted to short balls. Kohli was doing fine, before being dismissed by the short ball. He ended up getting a faint edge while trying to pull.
Laxman's views
Laxman feels New Zealand have foiled Kohli's plan
Laxman revealed the issue facing Kohli and highlighted the tactics used by New Zealand. "I think, for a stroke player, especially when someone is low on scores, not high on confidence, you want to score a lot more runs. You want to attack, want the opposition to bowl attacking lines and lengths. New Zealand have done really differently," Laxman added.
Quote
Kohli has to show more discipline and patience
"I think he [Kohli] has to show more discipline and more patience. It should be just like the way he showed after the tentative start," said Laxman during the post-match show in Star Sports.
Approach
'Kohli was looking to play those lavish drives'
Laxman highlighted that the discipline one often sees from Kohli was missing. "The discipline that we see from Kohli at the start of the innings was missing. Even in the second innings, he was looking to play those lavish drives which we don't really see from Virat even in subcontinent conditions." Laxman felt Kane Williamson's approach in the first innings was spot on.
1st Test
What's the situation of this match?
India managed a paltry 165/10 in the first innings. The team then allowed New Zealand to run away (348/10) after having them at 226/7. In the second innings, India are 144/4 and trail the Kiwis by 39 runs. Mayank Agarwal scored a half-century. For the Kiwis, left-arm pacer Trent Boult got three scalps.
Quote
NZ did not give Kohli anything to score: Laxman
"They did not give Kohli anything to score. Whenever the ball was bowled at the stumps, Kohli was scoring. Whenever there was room offered, he was scoring. But whenever it was short-pitched, it was into his body. It was almost testing his patience," he said.