Basit Ali has commented on Virat Kohli’s performance after the ODI match

India’s defeat to Sri Lanka in the second ODI of their three-match series has left many stunned. The 2024 T20 World Cup champions struggled significantly with the bat, falling short of a 241-run target and being dismissed for 208. With the first match ending in a tie, India now trails 0-1 in the series. Except for captain Rohit Sharma, no other Indian batter performed to expectations.

Virat Kohli’s performance has been particularly disappointing. In the first game, he was out for 24 and managed only 14 in the second match, both times falling to spin bowlers.

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali criticised Kohli’s form, suggesting it reflects a lack of practice. On his YouTube channel, Ali commented, "A great batsman like Virat Kohli, the world’s number one, has been out LBW twice. It’s surprising for someone of his calibre. This suggests he’s not well-practiced."

Ali also expressed concern about the overall batting lineup, questioning the preparedness of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. "It doesn’t look like this is the batting lineup that dominates world cricket. It feels like they haven’t practised enough," he said.

He further criticised Shreyas Iyer's performance, suggesting he should be replaced by Rinku Singh, Rishabh Pant, or Riyan Parag. "With such performances, I think it’s time for Rishabh Pant, Riyan Parag, and Rinku Singh to be considered."

Ali also highlighted the importance of India’s domestic 50-over tournament for new head coach Gautam Gambhir. "Gambhir will need to select players based on current form, not just reputation, to improve results in the Champions Trophy," he added.