Kohli is too powerful and how the team has regressed because of that :Andy Bull

[Chandan]

https://goo.gl/tTTbek

Andy Bull at Lord's

Fri 10 Aug 2018 

India have invested too much power in their captain Virat Kohli

At Lord’s Kohli looked like a man who does not think his teammates can get things done unless he tells them how to do it.

 

The second Test was all of 37 balls old when Virat Kohli found himself back in the middle, batting again. The series has had five days of play and it feels as though Kohli has been a central figure on every one of them, centre stage for every hour but the odd one when his teammates have managed a stand long enough to allow him some rest.

 

A lot has changed in the past six days, both the teams and the weather too, but this has not. Kohli’s is still the key wicket and India’s fate is so closely bound to his own that all three innings they have played so far have turned on his dismissal.

When it came at Lord’s, caught at slip off Chris Woakes just after 6.30pm, the match seemed to shift irrevocably with it. There are countless thousands of cricketers in India. They have a larger talent pool to pick from than any other nation. And yet the way they are set up leaves an awful lot resting on just one of them. Kohli seems to like it that way. You can see his touch in almost every last thing the team do. Their coach, Ravi Shastri, seems almost ornamental. During their morning huddles he stands mute while Kohli issues the orders for the day.

In the first Test Kohli made 200 runs on his own, the rest of the side as many again between them. And it was still not enough. When Kohli was out lbw to Ben Stokes on Saturday morning, India still needed 53. And since he was not going to be able to get them himself, he decided he had to leave his teammates a detailed set of instructions on exactly how they should go about winning the match. He stopped once to talk to Hardik Pandya and then again to address Mohammed Shami as he crossed over the boundary rope.

   

Kohli looked, in that moment, like a man who did not think his teammates could get it done unless he told them how to do it. And of course, even then it did not help. Shami got out seconds later and Pandya fell soon after. Here at Lord’s his batsmen let him down all over again. Murali Vijay draped his bat across the line of an away-swinger and KL Rahul was caught behind. So here was Kohli, batting for the match all over again, with Cheteshwar Pujara at the other end.

When a burst of drizzle swept across the ground, the umpires, Aleem Dar and Marais Erasmus, decided to send everyone in to the pavilion. But as Kohli and Pujara crossed the rope, the rain stopped and the sun peeped out from behind a cloud. It was only ever going to be a brief reprieve because there was a wave of thick black rain clouds coming up from behind the pavilion. But still Erasmus and Dar ordered everyone to start playing again.

 

 

Advertisement

 

Pujara left the next ball alone but played the one after down to the off side. He took two quick steps forward and looked up to see what Kohli wanted to do. He was deferring to his captain, offering him the decision on whether or not to run. Kohli, always keen to steal singles, answered him with a quick sprint, four long strides down the pitch. Pujara stuck his head down and started running hard too. And then Kohli changed his mind when he saw Ollie Pope closing in on the ball from his position at fifth slip.

Jimmy Anderson, the Elvis of Lord’s, sparkles between downpours

 

 

Read more

In that split second Kohli calculated there was a good chance someone was going to be out and decided it was not going to be him. So he turned and ran back to his ground. Pujara kept coming. And so did Pope, who had time to walk the ball right up to the stumps to make sure of the wicket. It was a ruthless bit of batting from Kohli. He called the run and cancelled it when he realised the risk. He decided he was too valuable to the team. So Pujara paid for Kohli’s wicket with his own. Moments later the rains came again and the players made a madcap sprint from the pitch while the groundstaff hurried the covers on.

Kohli has been involved in five run-outs in Test cricket but has been dismissed only once. He is not a man who gives up his wicket for the sake of a teammate. In the end it turned out that Kohli’s decision bought India only another handful of runs. But it all added to this impression that Kohli is a captain who seems to think that, if a thing has to be done, he had best do it himself. Which seems to mean that, if he does not, it does not get done at all. Brilliant as he is, it feels as if India have invested too much power, and too much hope, in just one man.

[Chandan]

Many of us have been thinking on exactly this line since last 18 months or so. But how home, none of the Indian journalists felt it and have thought of highlighting it at all? 

Secondly, as we all know that too much power was invested in even MSD. But at least he was accountable to N. Srinivasan. Who is Kohli accountable to? In Dhoni's time we had a strong BCCI, but right now there is no BCCI. Not saying that a cricket captain should have that much power under any circumstances, but situation right now is much more grim than what it was even under Dhoni. None of the team member are secured and one can feel from outside that they all have lost confidence.

And why is the media quiet? That is another mystery!

What do you guys think?

[Switchblade]

2 minutes ago, Chandan said:

Many of us have been thinking on exactly this line since last 18 months or so. But how home, none of the Indian journalists felt it and have thought of highlighting it at all? 

Secondly, as we all know that too much power was invested in even MSD. But at least he was accountable to N. Srinivasan. Who is Kohli accountable to? In Dhoni's time we had a strong BCCI, but right now there is no BCCI. Not saying that a cricket captain should have that much power under any circumstances, but situation right now is much more grim than what it was even under Dhoni. None of the team member are secured and one can feel from outside that they all have lost confidence.

And why is the media quiet? That is another mystery!

What do you guys think?

Media are paid stooges these days and then our ex players can’t get beyond their bias whether it’s Dhoni or Rahane or Rohit or Dhawan.

[mishra]

16 minutes ago, Chandan said:

Many of us have been thinking on exactly this line since last 18 months or so. But how home, none of the Indian journalists felt it and have thought of highlighting it at all? 

Secondly, as we all know that too much power was invested in even MSD. But at least he was accountable to N. Srinivasan. Who is Kohli accountable to? In Dhoni's time we had a strong BCCI, but right now there is no BCCI. Not saying that a cricket captain should have that much power under any circumstances, but situation right now is much more grim than what it was even under Dhoni. None of the team member are secured and one can feel from outside that they all have lost confidence.

And why is the media quiet? That is another mystery!

What do you guys think?

IF anything, media is somehow trying to find out scapegoats. Bottomline is. Kohli needs to give up captaincy in test arena. Dont mind about his heroics in T20 and odi as , nowadays I dont care much about limited over bilateral series and IPL

Edited August 13, 2018 by mishra

[Global.Baba]

The Indian commentators/Media literally look like they are walking on eggshells when they have to criticize Kohli or Dhoni.

 

Naseer Hussain was vocal criticizing Dhoni's knock in the ODI's but not a single beep from our experts. Kohli's constant chopping and changes in the team or questionable decisions in South Africa have escaped under the radar because no one just points them out.

 

I have said before this player power started under Dhoni and now has gone full retard under Kohli.

[Lannister]

18 minutes ago, Chandan said:

Many of us have been thinking on exactly this line since last 18 months or so. But how home, none of the Indian journalists felt it and have thought of highlighting it at all? 

Secondly, as we all know that too much power was invested in even MSD. But at least he was accountable to N. Srinivasan. Who is Kohli accountable to? In Dhoni's time we had a strong BCCI, but right now there is no BCCI. Not saying that a cricket captain should have that much power under any circumstances, but situation right now is much more grim than what it was even under Dhoni. None of the team member are secured and one can feel from outside that they all have lost confidence.

And why is the media quiet? That is another mystery!

What do you guys think?

He is such a big name, he is even bigger than the BCCI. If you want to play for India, then stay yourself in good books of Kohli. BCCI had it coming from a long time ever since they invested similar power in Dhoni. Kohli is even bigger a player than Dhoni and he's not going to miss out this opportunity. 

 

Far from professional setup, aren't they? 

[RAZPOR]

Kohli is like Kim Jung un of Indian cricket right now,we need him as a batsman but as a captain he has no incentive.

[Chandan]

21 minutes ago, Switchblade said:

Media are paid stooges these days and then our ex players can’t get beyond their bias whether it’s Dhoni or Rahane or Rohit or Dhawan.

Why can't they ask relevant questions? Maybe Kohli thinks that Indian fans are idiots and his bhakts will take care of everone. Why else was Rahane told to tell incorrectly in PC that it was Pujara's fault in run-out?

This is how the run-out is described perfectly as we saw it:

Pujara left the next ball alone but played the one after down to the off side. He took two quick steps forward and looked up to see what Kohli wanted to do. He was deferring to his captain, offering him the decision on whether or not to run. Kohli, always keen to steal singles, answered him with a quick sprint, four long strides down the pitch. Pujara stuck his head down and started running hard too. And then Kohli changed his mind when he saw Ollie Pope closing in on the ball from his position at fifth slip.

In that split second Kohli calculated there was a good chance someone was going to be out and decided it was not going to be him. So he turned and ran back to his ground. Pujara kept coming. And so did Pope, who had time to walk the ball right up to the stumps to make sure of the wicket. It was a ruthless bit of batting from Kohli. He called the run and cancelled it when he realised the risk. He decided he was too valuable to the team. So Pujara paid for Kohli’s wicket with his own. 

 

And his other run-outs?

 

Kohli has been involved in five run-outs in Test cricket but has been dismissed only once. He is not a man who gives up his wicket for the sake of a teammate. In the end it turned out that Kohli’s decision bought India only another handful of runs. But it all added to this impression that Kohli is a captain who seems to think that, if a thing has to be done, he had best do it himself.

 

I 

[Adi BB]

8 minutes ago, Global.Baba said:

The Indian commentators/Media literally look like they are walking on eggshells when they have to criticize Kohli or Dhoni.

 

Naseer Hussain was vocal criticizing Dhoni's knock in the ODI's but not a single beep from our experts. Kohli's constant chopping and changes in the team or questionable decisions in South Africa have escaped under the radar because no one just points them out.

 

I have said before this player power started under Dhoni and now has gone full retard under Kohli.

 

5 minutes ago, Lannister said:

He is such a big name, he is even bigger than the BCCI. If you want to play for India, then stay yourself in good books of Kohli. BCCI had it coming from a long time ever since they invested similar power in Dhoni. Kohli is even bigger a player than Dhoni and he's not going to miss out this opportunity. 

 

Far from professional setup, aren't they? 

Satvachan 

[Chandan]

7 minutes ago, Lannister said:

He is such a big name, he is even bigger than the BCCI. If you want to play for India, then stay yourself in good books of Kohli. BCCI had it coming from a long time ever since they invested similar power in Dhoni. Kohli is even bigger a player than Dhoni and he's not going to miss out this opportunity. 

 

Far from professional setup, aren't they? 

At Dhoni's time, when the CoS, Jimmy Amarnath wanted to sack him, it was he who sacked himself. In Kohli's time, a good coach, who tried to give confidence to other players, got sacked.

Now after this poor result, BCCI say that this great Captain-Coach duo will be questioned and may not enjoy that free hand which they have right now. So what'll happen?

At the most, fielding coach Sridhar, under whom slip catching has become dreadful, may get sacked. Along with him, maybe Banger will face the axe too as batting is equally dire in SENA conditions.

What will happen to Kohli-Shastri? Nothing!

https://goo.gl/h3NCXy

.

 

[Lannister]

6 minutes ago, Chandan said:

Why can't they ask relevant questions? Maybe Kohli thinks that Indian fans are idiots and his bhakts will take care of everone. Why else was Rahane told to tell incorrectly in PC that it was Pujara's fault in run-out?

This is how the run-out is described perfectly as we saw it:

Pujara left the next ball alone but played the one after down to the off side. He took two quick steps forward and looked up to see what Kohli wanted to do. He was deferring to his captain, offering him the decision on whether or not to run. Kohli, always keen to steal singles, answered him with a quick sprint, four long strides down the pitch. Pujara stuck his head down and started running hard too. And then Kohli changed his mind when he saw Ollie Pope closing in on the ball from his position at fifth slip.

In that split second Kohli calculated there was a good chance someone was going to be out and decided it was not going to be him. So he turned and ran back to his ground. Pujara kept coming. And so did Pope, who had time to walk the ball right up to the stumps to make sure of the wicket. It was a ruthless bit of batting from Kohli. He called the run and cancelled it when he realised the risk. He decided he was too valuable to the team. So Pujara paid for Kohli’s wicket with his own. 

 

And his other run-outs?

 

Kohli has been involved in five run-outs in Test cricket but has been dismissed only once. He is not a man who gives up his wicket for the sake of a teammate. In the end it turned out that Kohli’s decision bought India only another handful of runs. But it all added to this impression that Kohli is a captain who seems to think that, if a thing has to be done, he had best do it himself.

 

I 

That's such an eye opener. Here we have people criticizing a player who have some harsh words to say about his teammates because of their performance and how is it any different to what Kohli has been doing to his teammates. This will be completely overlooked because that's just how their mindset works. 

[Lannister]

3 minutes ago, Chandan said:

At Dhoni's time, when the CoS, Jimmy Amarnath wanted to sack him, it was he who sacked himself. In Kohli's time, a good coach, who tried to give confidence to other players, got sacked.

Now after this poor result, BCCI say that this great Captain-Coach duo will be questioned and may not enjoy that free hand which they have right now. So what'll happen?

At the most, fielding coach Sridhar, under whom slip catching has become dreadful, may get sacked. Along with him, maybe Banger will face the axe too as batting is equally dire in SENA conditions.

What will happen to Kohli-Shastri? Nothing!

https://goo.gl/h3NCXy

.

 

It's already too late for any of that. The moment they sacked Kumble because of some petty reasons to satisfy the captain's ego, this was coming to bite them in their arse big time. 

[rkt.india]

1 hour ago, Switchblade said:

Media are paid stooges these days and then our ex players can’t get beyond their bias whether it’s Dhoni or Rahane or Rohit or Dhawan.

Media isnt paid stooges.  They dont care about cricket anymore.

[speedheat]

Only thing dhoni was answerable to srini was

[Lannister]

1 minute ago, speedheat said:

Only thing dhoni was answerable to srini was

Both were using eachother. 

[Switchblade]

Quote

“Very poor from India. While we all want to stand by our team and support them when they don’t do well, going down without a fight is very disappointing to watch. Hope they have the confidence and mental strength to comeback from this,” tweeted Sehwag.

“Dismal Indians at Lord’s..everyone remotely connected with Indian Cricket knows where the problem lies or stems from..but will not utter a word for want of strength of character & courage of conviction...which is even more depressing really than the batting debacle actually...!!” wrote former India spinner Bedi.

Mohammad Kaif said the team’s performance was painful to watch.

“India lasted 82 overs across 2 innings. They not learning from mistakes has been very disappointing to watch. Thoroughly outplayed in all departments in this one. Lack of fight has been the most disappointing aspect. This is really painful to watch. No batsman exudes any confidence,” he said.

 

Laxman hoped India will learn from the mistakes ahead of the third Test starting August 18 at Nottingham.

“Caught in unfavourable conditions, not reading what the opposition threw saw India lose the Lord’s Test tamely without showing a fight. Hopefully lessons are learnt quickly and the rest of the batsman start applying themselves going forward,” he wrote.

 

“Our entire approach in this Test was defensive. More than anything, we allowed the English bowlers to come out on top by not playing our natural stroke playing game.The #TeamIndia think tank has a lot to ponder over in the coming days,” Kambli said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-vs-england-cricket-greats-slam-virat-kohli-and-co-after-lord-s-debacle/story-QiDw2mqj3Y3ISLxhlTqZiJ.html

@Lannister Laxman again being a bit diplomatic?

[Chandan]

So even after the IPL match fixing fiasco, BCCI didn't learn anything? Seems Indian cricket has gone to dogs.

 

Dismal Indians at Lord’s..everyone remotely connected with Indian Cricket knows where the problem lies or stems from..but will not utter a word for want of strength of character & courage of conviction...which is even more depressing really than the batting debacle actually...!!” wrote former India spinner Bedi.

@Switchblade

I want to know the reason for this?

Edited August 13, 2018 by Chandan

[Global.Baba]

Indian experts react to Lords loss.

 

VVS Laxman- Play Shikhar Dhawan so that he will put "prezzure" on England

 

Harbhajan- Our team is fine, just need to fix the "pojichan" of the batting line up

 

Manjrekar- Pressure of reaching the 600 run milestone is affecting Ishant.

 

Gavaskar- Give Rahane double batting

 

Bhogle- abba dabba jabba- who gives a F

 

Ganguly-Back in my day,we used to do this+that. These guys do not do this+that

[Switchblade]

6 minutes ago, Global.Baba said:

Indian experts react to Lords loss.

 

VVS Laxman- Play Shikhar Dhawan so that he will put "prezzure" on England

 

Harbhajan- Our team is fine, just need to fix the "pojichan" of the batting line up

 

Manjrekar- Pressure of reaching the 600 run milestone is affecting Ishant.

 

Gavaskar- Give Rahane double batting

 

Bhogle- abba dabba jabba- who gives a F

 

Ganguly-Back in my day,we used to do this+that. These guys do not do this+that

Baba when Hussain asked Bhajji about batting options he said Rohit should be brought back and apart from Mayank he had no clue about people like Shaw or Gill seems that Hussain and co know more about our talent than Harbhajan .(dot)

[Chandan]

I think our batsmen are fine. Same Rahane did well in England last time. Its only because of the team management, they've lost confidence.