Virat Kohli will have to answer: Michael Vaughan questions India skipper’s decision-making in Headingley

master

August 27, 2021

KEY STORY

Hailed for his captaincy at Lord’s, Virat Kohli is facing criticism for a number of decisions that he has taken in the 3rd Test against England at Headingley. While many questioned the India skipper’s decision at the toss, former England captain Michael Vaughan has highlighted another decision taken by Kohli that baffled him.
From R Ashwin’s exclusion to the decision to bat first, Kohli found himself in the spotlight over a number of captaincy decisions. Vaughan, on the other hand, questioned why the India skipper decided to start the attack with Ishant Sharma at the start of play on Day 2.
“You are looking at the start of the day’s play. Ishant Sharma was by far the worst Indian seamer yesterday. You start with him the next day, in an hour that you have to win, you (should) surely go to your best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Shami didn’t take the new ball yesterday for whatever reason. And Virat will have to answer it and he will have to answer it quite heavily,” Vaughan said on Test Match Special podcast.
After an incredibly successful outing in Lord’s, India hit rock bottom in Headingley and were bundled out for just 78 runs in the first innings. Be it with the bat or with the ball, the Indians couldn’t repeat the performance that saw them triumph at Lord’s. Vaughan feels Kohli’s men are finding it difficult to adapt to the conditions in Leeds.
“The best teams in the world adapt. This Indian team are a good team, but they can’t be up there with the great teams unless they are actually willing to accept that they need to arrive and do things differently,” said the former England captain.