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Gavaskar lauded Kohli’s dedication to working on his batting skilles after failing to score in the second Test against Australia
Virat Kohli gets praised by batting legend Sunil Gavaskar
The 10-wicket loss in Adelaide raised a few fingers at India’s batting once again. It was the fifth Test match in a row when the Rohit Sharma-led side suffered a horrendous batting collapse. After getting bowled out for 180 in the first innings, the visitors could only muster 175 in their second essay, setting Australia to chase just 19.
Right after Australia levelled the series 1-1, Virat Kohli walked out to bat in the nets against the fast bowlers. The former India captain scored an unbeaten hundred in Adelaide but struggled to get runs in the pink-ball Test. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar was impressed by Kohli’s act, stating that the rest of the batters must learn a thing or two from the senior batter.
Speaking on Star Sports, Gavaskar lauded Kohli’s dedication to working on his ability after failing to score in a match.
“By going out in the nets today, he shows his dedication. But that is what I would like to see from everybody else. He’s not scored runs. He is very proud of what he achieves and does for India, and because he’s not scored runs in this game, he’s out in the nets,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
“He’s working hard, he’s sweating, and that is what you want to see. After that, if you get out, no problem, because that’s what sport is all about. You will get runs one day, will get wickets one day, next day you will not. But you’ve got to put in the effort. He is putting in the hard yards, he is putting in the effort, and that’s why I won’t be surprised if he’s back amongst the runs in the next game,” he added.
India were thoroughly exposed in their 10-wicket loss with the match ending in less than two-and-a-half days as Australia bounced back to level the five-game series 1-1. Gavaskar has urged India not to “waste” time in their hotel rooms after the early finish of the pink-ball Test, but to utilise the two extra days by sweating it out in training so they can bounce back in the third game.
“Look at the remainder of the series as a three-match series. Forget it was a five-Test series. What I would like this Indian team to do is use the next couple of days for practice,” Gavaskar said.
“It’s very important. You can’t be sitting in your hotel room or wherever you’re going because you have come here to play cricket. You don’t have to practise the whole day. You can practise a session in the morning or afternoon, whichever time you choose, but do not waste these days. You would have been here playing a Test match if the Test match were to go on for five days,” he added.
- Location :
Adelaide, Australia
