Geoffrey Boycott blames Virat Kohli for India’s defeat in Champions Trophy final

Former English cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has slammed captain Virat Kohli for India’s disastrous defeat against arch-rivals Pakistan in the CT 2017 final. Boycott criticised Kohli’s decision to field first on a batting pitch causing India to lose out the opportunity to retain the crown they won in 2013. He stated Kohli’s decision “dug the grave” for the Indian loss.

Despite having the strongest chances of winning the tournament, the Men in Blue lost to Pakistan in a one-sided affair at The Oval. The Pakistani openers were clinical at the top, setting the course for a big total. Zaman looked at the top of his game forging two successful partnerships to help Pakistan put up 338 runs on the scoreboard at the end of 50 overs. The Indian batsmen looked rather vulnerable from the beginning.

The openers failed to provide the start needed to chase such a total. Skipper Virat also perished with a single digit score. It was Hardik Pandya who ignited the hopes amongst fans with his brief 50. Pakistan put up a lethal bowling performance and played as a unit and the victory was a result of their hard work.

The Indian team will next travel to West Indies to play a 5-match limited-over series. The tournament kickstarts on Friday (June 23) and will conclude with a solitary T20I on July 9.

Why did you bowl first?

The 76-year-old wrote in his column for the TOI wrote, “Despite all that has been said and written about India’s embarrassing no-show against PakiFstan at the Oval, I still have that one overriding question: why, for the love of God, would you offer the opposition first use of England’s best batting pitch, on a day when the sun was shining and there wasn’t a speck of cloud anywhere?”

“No matter who he may have consulted before the toss, the ultimate on-field decision is taken by the captain, and it is he who must take the blame. By putting Pakistan in to bat, Virat Kohli allowed them to get on top, and dug India’s grave,” Boycott stated.