Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt believes Indian batsmen Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane must play big knocks for India to urge back during a positive mindset within the Test series against England. After an emphatic 151 run win at Lord’s within the 2nd Test, Virat Kohli-led Indian team lost the third Test at Headingley by an innings and 76 runs.
Speaking during a video uploaded on his Youtube channel, Butt said that Team India got to pull their socks up to register a series win in England.
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“India need to pull up their socks. Their experienced players are due for giant knocks. On this tour, they haven’t done it thus far . Unless that happens, India won’t be during a temperature . it’ll be important for Virat Kohli to attain an enormous hundred. Rahane and Pujara have gotten the occasional scores but they haven’t played an enormous knock intrinsically ,” he said.
“Rohit Sharma has been looking great and has batted well. However, he has the potential of scoring 150-200, which he hasn’t done yet. Unless these senior players come up with big knocks, India will still struggle.” he added.
Speaking on Kohli’s troubles in England, Butt said that the India skipper is lacking concentration.
“When he was in form, Kohli was scoring hundred after hundred. Yes, his off-time has extended longer than expected but he has been aggressive as always. Kohli is wealthy but somewhere he’s lacking in concentration, which is why he’s chasing at those balls outside off stump. it’s not the case with Kohli usually. He has excellent concentration levels but during this series, he has been dismissed in similar fashion whenever .
“When he drives outside the off stump or maybe defends, he plays a touch faraway from his body. If he manages to play closer to the body and does so consistently, runs are going to be round the corner,” he signed off.
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