Former India coach Abhishek Nair expressed confidence that Virat Kohli can make a comeback in the third and final ODI against Australia, which will be held in Sydney on Saturday, October 25. Nair said that luck has not been on Kohli’s side, but his resilience and determination can help him turn things around.
Virat made a record of consecutive zero dismissals in the current ODI series against Australia. The Men in Blue scored a total of 265 runs in the second ODI in Adelaide on Thursday, October 23. However, Australia chased down the target with two wickets in hand and 22 balls to spare, taking a 2–0 lead in the series before the final match.
Will require a lot of patience and determination from Virat Kohli – Abhishek Nair
During a segment on Star Sports’ Game Plan, Abhishek Nair said that Virat Kohli has been unlucky so far in the series and added that the batsman can change his luck with patience and determination.
Nair said, “You always say you need the green. He doesn’t have it yet. That doesn’t mean he can’t. There are two zeros, he just has to add one on the side. It will require a lot of patience and determination from him, but those are the stories.”
Virat recorded consecutive zeroes for the first time in his 304-match ODI career. In both outings, he was forced to bat during the early powerplays after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were out early.
A Virat Kohli cannot become a Virat Kohli without this…-Abhishek Nair
The former Indian all-rounder said that Kohli has the ability to recover from failures. He said that Kohli has faced challenges before and has always bounced back. Nair said that Kohli can overcome his current difficulties.
“Virat Kohli can’t become Virat Kohli without overcoming setbacks. He has done that in the past. He has struggled in England. Kohli went back and won. He has one more game to conquer his demons, but if there is anyone I would trust and bet on, it would be Virat,” Nair explained.
Kohli’s record at the Sydney Cricket Ground is modest. He has scored only 146 runs in seven ODIs at this ground with an average of 24.33, strike rate of 82.95 and highest score of 89.
I just think it was a great delivery – Abhishek Nair
In the same discussion, Abhishek Nair praised the ball that dismissed Virat Kohli in the second ODI against Australia. He said that even the best batsmen would have been deceived, as the position of the seam suggested that the ball would leave them.
Nair said, “To be honest, whether I see Virat getting out or not, I just think it was a brilliant ball. I think most of the batsmen in the world, who have studied his bowling and understood him, would not have expected that ball because the way he left it, the condition of the seam suggests that the ball would leave him.”
The 36-year-old batsman initially allowed the first two balls to go outside the off-stump and blocked the third. On the fourth ball, he misjudged the shot across the line and was out LBW.
Also read: Harshit Rana named player of the match! Kris Srikkanth mercilessly mocks fast bowler for poor bowling in Adelaide ODI
