Indian players proving yet again that India is all Virat Kohli or nothing?

[ExpressPacer]

There is no denying to the fact that Indian batting is heavily reliant on how Kohli performs. I'm not saying the other guys aren't talented enough or good enough but you do get the vibe that even their form depends on how good or confident Kohli is about winning the game.

Even Ashwin seems to have suffered in this match and that could possibly because Kohli has looked out of sorts throughout. My opinion is not based off scorecards but rather Indian cricket that I have followed over the past couple of two years.

So, what I'm able to make out is that as long as Kohli is getting a few runs and is in form, India is close to invincible but when he's out of form and doesn't reflect his usual confident self, India suffers - much like any other team when their best player isn't performing.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

In Test cricket, they have the best top 5 in world cricket comfortably

 

[Convict]

Kohli is nothing

 

[ExpressPacer]

They have the best top 5 in world cricket comfortably

Definitely. There's no denying that. But what I'm implying is that I feel as if their form depends on how good Kohli is performing.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Nah. Just basing your judgement on big names is not the right way to go.

Dig into SA, NZ, WI series and see if it was Kohli or nothing with the bat.

Kohli only recently started becoming consistent in Asian tests but we were winning in Asia for a long time.

How? Due to other batsmen.

 

[Varun]

We have three other decent bats but they're terribly inconsistent:

Vijay
Pujara
Rahane

 

[ExpressPacer]

We have three other decent bats but they're terribly inconsistent:

Vijay
Pujara
Rahane

I would agree. They most definitely are amazing batsmen but that's where the quandary lies, my friend. Inconsistency. I would rather have Nair in place of Rahane, to be honest. At least in Asian conditions. Vijay is by far my favourite batsman of the Indian cricket team after Kohli but even he needs a good enough partner to keep going. He was best suited with Dhawan until he completely lost it.

Pujara, IMO, is a Test hack. I don't like him too much. From what I've seen him, he always goes down in pressure situations, just like today. Has a good record but I don't hold it too highly. A lot of flukes, imo.

 

[Varun]

I would rather have Nair in place of Rahane, to be honest. At least in Asian conditions.

I'm of the opinion we should play both Rahane and Nair. Ashwin coming in at #6 was a time bomb waiting to go off and it has.

We need the extra batsman.

 

[ExpressPacer]

I'm of the opinion we should play both Rahane and Nair. Ashwin coming in at #6 was a time bomb waiting to go off and it has.

We need the extra batsman.

Yeah, maybe that would work. Rahane's earned that spot, although I'm not sure if he can keep it given India's bench strength. India needs someone else who can play at Kohli's pace to take the pressure off the rest even if Kohli fails. Lokesh was supposed to be that one but he's far too inconsistent.

I wouldn't mind having Jhadav in the squad.

 

[Saurav]

I would agree. They most definitely are amazing batsmen but that's where the quandary lies, my friend. Inconsistency. I would rather have Nair in place of Rahane, to be honest. At least in Asian conditions. Vijay is by far my favourite batsman of the Indian cricket team after Kohli but even he needs a good enough partner to keep going. He was best suited with Dhawan until he completely lost it.

Pujara, IMO, is a Test hack. I don't like him too much. From what I've seen him, he always goes down in pressure situations, just like today. Has a good record but I don't hold it too highly. A lot of flukes, imo.

Best player of spin in our team.even though thats not saying much

 

[Big Mac]

I'm of the opinion we should play both Rahane and Nair. Ashwin coming in at #6 was a time bomb waiting to go off and it has.

We need the extra batsman.

Yeah, on a pitch like this you don't need Ishant

 

[Varun]

Yeah, on a pitch like this you don't need Ishant

Ideally,

OUT: Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma
IN: Karun Nair, Bhuvneshwar Kumar

For Bangalore. I'll probably catch that test live, and if I see Ishant there I swear...

 

[ExpressPacer]

Whoever you play, Kohli needs to perform for India to even draw. I'm adamant about that.

 

[Madplayer]

Ashwin is India's MVP but in batting they are nothing without kohli.

I didnt notice but was murli vijay playing? He is another important batsman for India.

 

[super hitter]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

And Harbajan was saying that if Australia plays well, India will win by 3-0 otherwise 4-0....

What a slap right on the face

 

[Varun]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

And Harbajan was saying that if Australia plays well, India will win by 3-0 otherwise 4-0....

What a slap right on the face

Nicely done.

 

[Madplayer]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

And Harbajan was saying that if Australia plays well, India will win by 3-0 otherwise 4-0....

What a slap right on the face

Shreesant payed aussies for giving this slap to harbhajan in the face.

 

[Ab Fan]

No..Test team isn't dependent on Kohli.

Its more dependent on Ashwin and Jadeja.They were mediocre in this game and that was followed by some really poor batting.

 

[ExpressPacer]

I don't think so we have a Pak-Indo series coming up to compare the two, or even if it comes, then you know the results, Pak always wins no matter the ground is Kolkata or Mohali rby

Lool even Junaid Khan who can't find a place in the team destroyed them at their own backyard.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Looks like I've been proven right again. The Indian batting is like a pack of cards when Virat Kohli doesn't get going. Gets blown away with a little bit of wind. Indians have faced tougher bowling and dominated but the key difference was Kohli's performance. As soon as Kohli begins to get starts, gets a 50, or a hundred, the other players also feel more comfortable.

I have a feeling Kohli not doing too well with the bat also affects Ashwin's bowling because VK is lacking confidence and Ashwin feeds off of VK's confidence.

 

[soso_killer]

Vijay and Rahane are their best players comfortably. Kohli is nothing more than a mascot.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Kohli's inability to play offspin is looking very similar to Ricky Pontings

 

[ExpressPacer]

Vijay and Rahane are their best players comfortably. Kohli is nothing more than a mascot.

I don't rate Rahane. He never looks vulnerable but doesn't look too confident either. Not someone who can drive the other players to be successful too.

Vijay is by far my favorite player in the Indian team. Underrated. However, Kohli is still the key player for India to win in the longer formats of the game. When he gets going, India looks unbeatable, when he doesn't, they look like a timid puppy.

 

[King Kong]

Kohli's inability to play offspin is looking very similar to Ricky Pontings

Don't think so. He handled pretty well against Lyon in Adelaide where Lyon was creating havoc. Scored 100 against Swann and co in 2012 when India were 70-4. Thrashed Moeen in the England series.

 

[Romali_rotti]

I don't rate Rahane. He never looks vulnerable but doesn't look too confident either. .

Rahane is a quality bat provided the ball doesnt spin, kinda like a South African Cullinan...

 

[ExpressPacer]

Don't think so. He handled pretty well against Lyon in Adelaide where Lyon was creating havoc. Scored 100 against Swann and co in 2012 when India were 70-4. Thrashed Moeen in the England series.

Yeah, I agree too. Kohli is very good vs all kinds of spin. He just hasn't performed in a couple of matches. That doesn't mean it is a technical problem.

 

[King Kong]

Yeah, I agree too. Kohli is very good vs all kinds of spin. He just hasn't performed in a couple of matches. That doesn't mean it is a technical problem.

He is the best Indian player against spin and pace. 4 hundreds in Australia in one series is no joke no matter what how much you undermine those. 100 and 95 in South Africa in a test. Has been the best player of India in every series except one. I agree that team is heavily dependent on him. Amazing that few posters were saying Vijay and Rahane were better than Kohli a few months ago. They hid as soon as he skyrocketed ahead of in the last few series. Now they are at it again after 2 failures. A big lol at the frustration and desperation of those posters.

 

[ExpressPacer]

He is the best Indian player against spin and pace. 4 hundreds in Australia in one series is no joke no matter what how much you undermine those. 100 and 95 in South Africa in a test. Has been the best player of India in every series except one. I agree that team is heavily dependent on him. Amazing that few posters were saying Vijay and Rahane were better than Kohli a few months ago. They hid as soon as he skyrocketed ahead of in the last few series. Now they are at it again after 2 failures. A big lol at the frustration and desperation of those posters.

Couldn't agree more. Kohli is just so vital to the India team performing. Its like they feed off his confidence and ability. Even when he isn't getting big scores but looking confident and not getting out the way he has been getting out these past couple of innings, the rest start playing well.

India needs to stop being overly dependent on him because an injury or a dip in form will not let India keep that No.1 title for too long.

 

[Mamoon]

Kohli has been a tail-ender in this series so far, but India is motoring along fine. I hope Kohli realizes the worth of Pujara now.

 

[ExpressPacer]

He has a pathetic series every now and then only to bounce back with a bang. Lets see how long it'll take this time.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Hainnn Please someone tell me what has Kohli done in test cricket apart from last 6 months (Even then there were others who were good too)? How any matches has he won? How many series results he influenced? How many tough runs he scored when the chips were down?

When I have Indian test team in my mind than Puji, Vijay and Rahane (in seam and swing conditions) comes to my mind before Kohli. And now even in his short career Rahul. He is not ahead of these players as of now in test cricket. Yes he might overtake them in future as he is a hard worker, is good technically and a pressure play, but he isn't above them now.

 

[Ab Fan]

There was a question going around in this forum as to what would happen to Indian team in home conditions if Ashwin or Kohli gets injured?

Now, Ashwin has done nothing with bat and has a disappointing tour with the ball. Then you have Kohli who has got tailenders stats in this series.

This series has been by far the most competitive one as compared to all the recent series played in India and one man who is standing like a boulder between Australia and victory is Che Pujara. If not for him, this series might have already been done and dusted till now.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

We sometimes mix Kohli the loi player with Kohli the test player. For me he is already an ATG in odis and might even become the greatest ever in odis but he hasn't done anything special in tests yet. He is overrated in tests as of now though i back him to come good (also I have started to like him in recent times. His pro-peace comments/activities on Ind-Pak, Interfaith harmony, respecting others' opinions were really refreshing to see. Using his fan following to good effect).

 

[dildildalwalla]

The problem with India is that their team is hevaily reliant on home conditions (pitches flat enough to score big runs and yet enough turn on days 4 and 5 to take wickets). This Aussie series, in contrast to England and SA previously, has produced two absolute belters in the first two tests. The first pitch turned too much, and the second had a bit in it for the pacers and some turn later on. India lost the first and scraped by in the second after woeful batting from the Aussies.

Now, in the 3rd test, they put out a relatively flat pitch but one, if you're quick enough, you can extract some bounce and thats what Cummins has used, with his natural ability to move the ball. Starc did the same previously. India don't have anyone in the "pace" department to be as good and Ashwin and Jadeja have bowled well but the Aussies have also managed to score decent runs this time around.

India haven't had it all their own way and they can't find another way to win. Their batting is so grossly overrated it's remarkable.

 

[Bengaluru]

The problem with India is that their team is hevaily reliant on home conditions (pitches flat enough to score big runs and yet enough turn on days 4 and 5 to take wickets). This Aussie series, in contrast to England and SA previously, has produced two absolute belters in the first two tests. The first pitch turned too much, and the second had a bit in it for the pacers and some turn later on. India lost the first and scraped by in the second after woeful batting from the Aussies.

Now, in the 3rd test, they put out a relatively flat pitch but one, if you're quick enough, you can extract some bounce and thats what Cummins has used, with his natural ability to move the ball. Starc did the same previously. India don't have anyone in the "pace" department to be as good and Ashwin and Jadeja have bowled well but the Aussies have also managed to score decent runs this time around.

India haven't had it all their own way and they can't find another way to win. Their batting is so grossly overrated it's remarkable.

I am not sure which match you were watching but in this match both Indian openers have a score of 60+ and the number three is 130 not out. How is this batting grossly over rated? Also, battling it out there and not losing wickets in a heap like the previous 2 tests is exactly what they have done as finding "another way to win".

 

[Hasan123]

In LO they struggle when he doesn't fire. In tests he has enough support so him not scoring may not affect Indias results too much.

 

[dildildalwalla]

I am not sure which match you were watching but in this match both Indian openers have a score of 60+ and the number three is 130 not out. How is this batting grossly over rated? Also, battling it out there and not losing wickets in a heap like the previous 2 tests is exactly what they have done as finding "another way to win".

The Indians have been out batted, in home conditions by their opposition yet again. It doesnt matter what their openers have done. Good, 3 guys have got a score but KOhli, Nair, Ashwin and Rahane combned to make 46 runs. Do you want me to bring up numbers from the other test?

 

[Abhilash93]

The problem with India is that their team is hevaily reliant on home conditions (pitches flat enough to score big runs and yet enough turn on days 4 and 5 to take wickets). This Aussie series, in contrast to England and SA previously, has produced two absolute belters in the first two tests. The first pitch turned too much, and the second had a bit in it for the pacers and some turn later on. India lost the first and scraped by in the second after woeful batting from the Aussies.

Now, in the 3rd test, they put out a relatively flat pitch but one, if you're quick enough, you can extract some bounce and thats what Cummins has used, with his natural ability to move the ball. Starc did the same previously. India don't have anyone in the "pace" department to be as good and Ashwin and Jadeja have bowled well but the Aussies have also managed to score decent runs this time around.

India haven't had it all their own way and they can't find another way to win. Their batting is so grossly overrated it's remarkable.

First two pitches were ABSOLUTE BELTERS ?

I don't think you understand the meaning of a 'belter'.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Kohli is half of Indian team in LOs but in tests Ashwin and Jadeja have more impact.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Looks like it isn't restrained to Indian cricketers. Last year, Kohli was having a Bradman-esque run in the IPL and everyone seemed to be doing pretty well. This year, Kohli is out of form and all the big guns, AB, Gayle, Manish, Jhadav etc seem to be failing.

 

[RamLakhan]

Looks like it isn't restrained to Indian cricketers. Last year, Kohli was having a Bradman-esque run in the IPL and everyone seemed to be doing pretty well. This year, Kohli is out of form and all the big guns, AB, Gayle, Manish, Jhadav etc seem to be failing.

Manish is not playing in RCB

 

[RamLakhan]

Kohli is half of Indian team in LOs but in tests Ashwin and Jadeja have more impact.

I don't think this will be the suit anymore. Kohli will not enjoy the one-man-ship as Sachin did for quite long (until Ganguly, Dravid, Sehwag, Laxman came to the scene). He will lose the hold lot early (maybe this year itself) and share the laurels with other guys in the team!

 

[ExpressPacer]

An apt time to bump this thread. India proving yet again that they are all Kohli or nothing. Sure, Dhawan scored a century at a strike rate of less 100 but a total of 320 on these flat highways for pitches is certainly below par, especially against a meager bowling attack like that of Sri Lanka.

Kohli gets a duck, India fails.

 

[PakLFC]

He is the jewel in their crown. Every team has an exceptional batsman who they depend on more then any other. The likes of Shekhar Dhawan and Rohit are good on their day. Kohli is good on most days.

 

[Savak]

What i enjoy is watching all that punch fisting in the batsman's face, abusive language at the fall of a batsman's wicket go completely out of the window when the situation is completely against him. I am seeing his so called aggressive captaincy for what it is when he let the Sri Lankans in the game with some poor defensive captaincy.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Yet again, I feel I've been proven right.

Every single time VK got a single digit score in this tournament, India lost. Jam packed with the likes of Dhawan, Sharma, MSD, Jadhav and so many other fearsome batsman, India relies way too much on VK. India is as weak as any team in the world without VK, especially chasing.

 

[JaDed]

Also he is proving he is nothing in KO of ODI tournaments.

 

[aukhan]

Yes. Get virat out and there are 75 % chances of you winning the game.

 

[QalandarFan]

Not so much this tournament but I remember in the 2016 World T20 He was the EPITOME of Single Handed wins. He literally batted himself and his teams to the SF's that tournament.

 

[pakistani pride]

TBF he is not all that in ICC finals...

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Kohli was a Hugeeeeeee wicket.

He is one Man Army in Chase especially in Pressure games and Big Stage.


But Pandya's innings proved that if India did not have 2 passengers (Legends) after Kohli in the middle than they could have threatened Pakistan's bowling.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Also he is proving he is nothing in KO of ODI tournaments.

Best ODI batsman by a hugeeeee margin. Give him some slack brother.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Also he is proving he is nothing in KO of ODI tournaments.

Well, as long as he doesn't learn to handle the pressure in KO matches, I don't see India winning any tournaments because they have become over-reliant on Virat clicking. For India to win, Virat has to perform brilliantly.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Think if the BCCI and the selectors had any foresight they would ask Kohli to step down as captain and give it to better tacticians like Rohit or Rahane.

 

[vandokkum]

What i enjoy is watching all that punch fisting in the batsman's face, abusive language at the fall of a batsman's wicket go completely out of the window when the situation is completely against him. I am seeing his so called aggressive captaincy for what it is when he let the Sri Lankans in the game with some poor defensive captaincy.

You were spot on, I am a huge fan of Kohli but captaincy is exposing him as mentally weak.

 

[ExpressPacer]

India is as weak as any team in the world without VK, especially chasing.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

India is as weak as any team in the world without VK, especially chasing.

Yeahhh!
Was surprised to see the responses of Indians and especially Pakistanis too in who will win India vs Pakistan odi series.

India rely too much on Kohli. Get Kohli out early in the match and you will probably win the match.
On the other side Pakistan dont rely on 1 player. We win mostly because of team effort. Even without Amir we thrashed England in semi final.

Pakistan should win series vs India 3-2/4-1 making a good plan against kohli early in the innings.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Yeahhh!
Was surprised to see the responses of Indians and especially Pakistanis too in who will win India vs Pakistan odi series.

India rely too much on Kohli. Get Kohli out early in the match and you will probably win the match.
On the other side Pakistan dont rely on 1 player. We win mostly because of team effort. Even without Amir we thrashed England in semi final.

Pakistan should win series vs India 3-2/4-1 making a good plan against kohli early in the innings.

Exactly. Its not like India have never won in the past when Kohli got out to a low score but more often than not, you get Kohli out cheaply and you have a pretty good shot at winning. Its funny how even the bowlers are under pressure when Kohli is not having the best of days.

 

[shane]

it does seem that, in ODI cricket at least, india is very weak after the top 4. Get a couple of early wickets and they seem to struggle. It is the opposite of Pakistan where the top 4 consistently roll over without any fight and the rest have to pick up the pieces.

 

[cr7great]

this team has 4-5 over the hill players

 

[Suleiman]

You were spot on, I am a huge fan of Kohli but captaincy is exposing him as mentally weak.

Yeah have noticed this too. He is relying on Dhoni's advice a lot on the field. Looks easy to mentally rattle as on field captain. This is where it could be bad to have a captain who is so prone to his emotions.

 

[ExpressPacer]

I've said it before and I'll say it again; the Indian team is heavily and OVERLY reliant on VK succeeding to win. We've seen it numerous times in the past that on most occasions, his runs are vital for India to win. And it isn't constricted to that, his mere presence is what the Indian team feeds off as I've mentioned in a previous post:

Couldn't agree more. Kohli is just so vital to the India team performing. Its like they feed off his confidence and ability. Even when he isn't getting big scores but looking confident and not getting out the way he has been getting out these past couple of innings, the rest start playing well.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

I've said it before and I'll say it again; the Indian team is heavily and OVERLY reliant on VK succeeding to win. We've seen it numerous times in the past that on most occasions, his runs are vital for India to win. And it isn't constricted to that, his mere presence is what the Indian team feeds off as I've mentioned in a previous post:

We have seen even worse situations
At one time sachin was the only hope for us
Its still better nowadays

 

[ExpressPacer]

We have seen even worse situations
At one time sachin was the only hope for us
Its still better nowadays

I like the optimism but frankly, I don't think it gets worse than 7 down for 29 runs, and that too against an 8 ranked team at HOME.

 

[SandyB]

I've said it before and I'll say it again; the Indian team is heavily and OVERLY reliant on VK succeeding to win. We've seen it numerous times in the past that on most occasions, his runs are vital for India to win. And it isn't constricted to that, his mere presence is what the Indian team feeds off as I've mentioned in a previous post:

This is the key point . Kohli has a sort of talismanic impact on the Indian team, like what IK may have had in the past . As India keeps winning bigger (especially in Tests) under Kohli, the directionless-ness, without him, will keep increasing . India shouldve invested some time in grooming another LOI captian just in case.

I do feel Rohit is good at executing stuff, but he looks like a lazy guy even when he is batting/fielding well. Its like when a very strict teacher goes on leave and a very cool and laid back guy comes to take that days class. The replacement teacher may be good and capable, but the Kids won't feel like giving the same level of attention.

 

[ExpressPacer]

This is the key point . Kohli has a sort of talismanic impact on the Indian team, like what IK may have had in the past . As India keeps winning bigger (especially in Tests) under Kohli, the directionless-ness, without him, will keep increasing . India shouldve invested some time in grooming another LOI captian just in case.

I do feel Rohit is good at executing stuff, but he looks like a lazy guy even when he is batting/fielding well. Its like when a very strict teacher goes on leave and a very cool and laid back guy comes to take that days class. The replacement teacher may be good and capable, but the Kids won't feel like giving the same level of attention.

Well, you see, the problem is, even when Kohli is in the XI but fails, everyone looks demoralized and lose the will to perform.

What's worse is when he isn't in the XI, at that point, team India, with all due respect, reflect a minnow cricketing nation, as we saw today. Such is the unpredictability of the team. With one man, you are world beaters and in his absence, absolute filth.

While Kohli has many years left in him, he is bound to get injured, lose form or just retire on a high one day. This was India's first XI that was humiliated by a minnow like Sri Lanka today just with the exception of Kohli.

 

[Princejain191]

I've said it before and I'll say it again; the Indian team is heavily and OVERLY reliant on VK succeeding to win. We've seen it numerous times in the past that on most occasions, his runs are vital for India to win. And it isn't constricted to that, his mere presence is what the Indian team feeds off as I've mentioned in a previous post:

Agree to an extent because this comes with terms and conditions. If the pitches have something for bowlers, then yes -there is over reliance on Virat, as we saw in last year's Asia cup and then WC16. He was literally our entire batting line-up and the gulf between him and other Indian batsmen was ridiculous. Or in Mumbai vs NZ and Kolkata vs Australia this year.

But on flat pitches, you can still expect our batting to do well. They will prob not chase as well without Virat but still have good batting averages and India would score 300+, though may be a little more inconsistently.

 

[Savak]

Kohli too is suspect is swinging, seaming conditions so i doubt he would have made much difference here.

 

[Raja Sab]

kohli too would have failed like he always do in seeming conditions

 

[MenInG]

This until they hit back in next game!

Btw, Kohli was playing in the CT17 final.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Kohli too is suspect is swinging, seaming conditions so i doubt he would have made much difference here.

Of course. But my argument would still have stood; even when Kohli plays but gets out on a low score, more often than not, the Indian team struggles. I've seen this one time too many.

Indian batting is heavily reliant on him but even the bowlers have an off day when Kohli is in poor form. They feed off his energy and confidence.

 

[ExpressPacer]

This until they hit back in next game!

Btw, Kohli was playing in the CT17 final.

Miggy bhai, that is exactly what I'm trying to point. Even when Kohli plays but fails as a batsmen, Indian batting usually struggles. It is just that he is so consistent in performing that this is a rare occurrence.

 

[maxamax]

Virat Kohli chickened out when ball was moving. His presence would have made little difference. Infact he would have got exposed.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Agree to an extent because this comes with terms and conditions. If the pitches have something for bowlers, then yes -there is over reliance on Virat, as we saw in last year's Asia cup and then WC16. He was literally our entire batting line-up and the gulf between him and other Indian batsmen was ridiculous. Or in Mumbai vs NZ and Kolkata vs Australia this year.

But on flat pitches, you can still expect our batting to do well. They will prob not chase as well without Virat but still have good batting averages and India would score 300+, though may be a little more inconsistently.

Most batting units will do well on a flat track. That should not justify how relient India have become on Kohli, especially in ODIs.

The CT '17 Final was played on a flat deck, but as soon as Kohli got out, the entire morale of the team went down. Whether Kohli plays or not is not the concern, his lack performances adversely affects the Indian batting, and not just the batting.

 

[Princejain191]

Most batting units will do well on a flat track. That should not justify how relient India have become on Kohli, especially in ODIs.

The CT '17 Final was played on a flat deck, but as soon as Kohli got out, the entire morale of the team went down. Whether Kohli plays or not is not the concern, his lack performances adversely affects the Indian batting, and not just the batting.

I based that on how India has won several matches on flat pitches without Kohli contributing much in last 2 years but hardly any on not-flat pitches. CT17 final was peculiar because of the stage and the task at hand - against a good bowling line-up, Kohli is important in chases even on flat pitches.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

kohli too would have failed like he always do in seeming conditions

Asia cup 2016 against pak in tough conditions when everyone flopped he was the only ray of hope and even in t20 wc vs pak

 

[Raja Sab]

Asia cup 2016 against pak in tough conditions when everyone flopped he was the only ray of hope and even in t20 wc vs pak

where the target was 85 ? what an accomplishment

 

[Smudger]

Kohli is highly overrated. He would have gone out for 10-12 ball duck. We saw that in 1st test. India is not over rekiant on kohli. They won ct 13 and got into wc15 sf without him. And in test matches he is inconsistent. Smith and williamson are the batters on which their teams rely the most.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

where the target was 85 ? what an accomplishment

When all other batsmen irespective of the team were falling like dominoes he was the only one middling the ball.He scored 49 which was nearly 2/3 of total.It was a brilliant innings.

 

[Sam99]

He failed in recent aus test and odi tour still india won series. Kohli would have been out on duck as well they way lakmal bowled on that pitch. You guys just overrate a flat track bully. My guess is someone like rahane can do well on this pitches but he is out of form.