“The Most Important Suspect Was Virat Kohli’s Replacing Him”: England Legend on Chic India Batsman Missing a Century

<p>India may have easily defeated England in the first Test match in Hyderabad, but Michael Atherton believes that India’s hitters were quite “generous” in losing wickets.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-377368″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-the-most-important-suspect-was-virat-kohlis-replacing-him-england-legend-on-chic-i.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com the most important suspect was virat kohlis replacing him england legend on chic i” width=”1004″ height=”669″ title=”"The Most Important Suspect Was Virat Kohli's Replacing Him": England Legend on Chic India Batsman Missing a Century 6″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-the-most-important-suspect-was-virat-kohlis-replacing-him-england-legend-on-chic-i.jpg 510w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-the-most-important-suspect-was-virat-kohlis-replacing-him-england-legend-on-chic-i-150×100.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1004px) 100vw, 1004px” /></p>
<p>With the exception of Ravichandran Ashwin, almost all Indian hitters had solid starts but were unable to reach three figures. But they played with intention, and in their haste to score fast, they lost.</p>
<p>Yashasvi Jaiswal, the opener, scored 80 off 74 balls, Rohit Sharma, his opening partner, struck 24 off 27 balls, and Shubman Gill, the number three, went out for 23 off 66.</p>
<p>KL Rahul, who batted at number four, filled the void created by Virat Kohli’s absence. Although he made it count and hit an incredible 86 off 123, Atherton believes the Indian batsman had the opportunity to make it a larger total.</p>
<p>Atherton believes that a player like as Kohli wouldn’t have shown such “generosity.”</p>
<p>In his Times column, Atherton said, “They (England) were fortunate that India’s top order were in a generous mood but the situation at the close was very bad even so, and could have been even worse.” “It is difficult to believe that Virat Kohli would have been as cooperative as his teammates were here, and the biggest offender was the stylish and talented KL Rahul, who replaced him at number four and had a hundred to spare before smashing a long-hop from Tom Hartley into the deep.”</p>
<p>Atherton expressed his amazement at how England employed Jack Leach, their main spinner for the tour, so infrequently on Day 2.</p>
<p>“The use of England’s most seasoned spinner, Jack Leach, was the most perplexing feature. Leach has up to now been something of Ben Stokes’ pet project, and in return for the many demonstrations of trust, Leach has grown in size and self-assurance, according to Atherton.</p>
<p>Leach bowled 16 overs on Friday as India piled up the runs, with other spinners, like as part-timer Joe Root, doing most of the hard work.</p>
<p>However, in this instance, he (Leach) was only utilized sporadically, bowling only two overs in the morning and seven in the afternoon, which was divided into three periods. He bowled six stints totaling 16 overs throughout the day, with his biggest spell being four overs, according to Atherton.</p>
<p>“Given that the medical staff was reportedly pleased with his bowling loads in practise ahead of this series, with the obvious proviso (mine not theirs) of a lack of match practise, given England’s decision to train in Abu Dhabi rather than play competitive matches in India, this clearly required some explanation,” he continued.</p>
<p>Jeetan Patel, the spin coach for England, said that Leach is dealing with a severe knee issue.</p>
<p>By the conclusion of Day 2, India had achieved 421/7, expanding their advantage to 175 runs against England’s 246 all out.</p>