Former Australian cricket legend Ian Chappell pointed out the weaknesses of Team India and Virat Kohli, whose performances this season have not met his usual high standards after India lost 0-3 to New Zealand in the home series.
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell talked about Virat Kohli’s unlucky dismissal in the first innings of the Pune Test to point out India’s bigger problems with footwork and decision-making. Chappell believes low confidence and poor shot selection were issues for India’s batting throughout the three-match Test series against New Zealand.
India’s batting lineup fell under constant pressure from New Zealand, leading to a 25-run loss in the third and final Test match at the Wankhede Stadium on November 3.
This surprising defeat gave New Zealand a historic 3-0 series win, making them only the fourth team to sweep India in a series of three or more Tests, after England, Australia, and the West Indies.
The New Zealand spinners used every weakness on a pitch that confused the home team more than the visitors. After the Mumbai Test, Ian Chappell spoke out and pointed out that key players, including star batter Virat Kohli, did not show any footwork.
In the second Test in Pune, Virat Kohli was dismissed in the first innings by a straightforward ball from Mitchell Santner that went through his defense without a proper attempt to play it. This highlighted the difficulties India’s batters faced against New Zealand’s bowling.
Ian Chappell noted that Kohli’s misjudgment of the ball’s movement exposed India’s weakness. This issue came at an unfortunate time for India, with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 just weeks away.
While talking to ESPNCricinfo, Ian Chappell said, “Star batter Virat Kohli’s first-inning dismissal was the perfect example of India’s lack of decisive footwork. Kohli was clean bowled by a delivery from Santner that if the batter had taken even a small pace out of his crease, he could have hit on the full. However, instead of Kohli’s lack of decisive footwork being the culprit, his shot selection was questioned.”
Chappell further noted, “Calamitous displays against New Zealand exposed weaknesses in India’s batting. There’s no good time for batting fragility, but on the eve of a tough tour of Australia, it’s asking for trouble.”
