Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq has criticized the experienced Indian batsmen, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane. The trio has been struggling off-late to score runs consistently.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli’s performance in the Leeds test will boost the duo’s confidence. However, Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane’s position in the team is under threat. Inzamam-ul-Haq feels that the young Indian players have contributed more than this experienced trio. He said,
“If you look at Team India’s batters, Virat Kohli hasn’t scored a hundred in nearly two years. The case is the same with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane is also struggling.”
“In big series’, if Team India’s experienced players don’t lead from the front, then they are bound to find themselves in trouble. I have been observing India’s performance from Australia. They have played some very good Test cricket. They have won series’ away from home in tough conditions. But the major role in these wins was played by the young players,” Inzamam-ul-Haq added.
Things change when the big guns perform: Inzamam-ul-Haq
The former Pakistan skipper stated that Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane are good players, but they cannot be so inconsistent. He asserted, that the experienced players will have to lead. Inzamam said,
“Virat is the No. 1 player in the world, Pujara and Rahane are very good Test players. But if there is such a big gap between their big scores or hundreds, the youngsters are bound to come under pressure. The young players have been doing well but the experienced ones must lead the way. If Team India’s younger players are constantly put under pressure, they too will struggle. This is exactly what is happening in England.”
Inzamam-ul-Haq said that India will do well when the big guns will start performing consistently.
“Things change when the big guns perform. Look at this Test itself. When Pujara and Kohli were involved in that partnership, Team India’s hopes of a comeback were suddenly raised though they had conceded a 350-run lead. It could have happened (comeback) had they converted their partnership into a big one, say around 200-250. The pressure would have been back on England then,” he concluded.