'He missed the trick' - VVS Laxman dissapointed with Virat Kohli's captaincy on the third day of Wellington Test

Indian Cricket Team is staring down at a defeat in the opening Test of the two-match series at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. And, the dwindling form of two of their best players- Jasprit Bumrah and skipper Virat Kohli- have been at the heart of continuing dismal returns in the ongoing Test. India started off on a brilliant note on the third day with Jasprit Bumrah seeing off BJ Watling on the very first delivery.

Tim Southee followed suit when he hit a leg-side delivery straight down Mohammed Shami’s throat and suddenly, it looked like India will fold the hosts for a manageable lead. But, once again, the inability of the Indian bowlers to dislodge the tail surfaced as Kyle Jamieson [44] and Trent Boult [38] proceed to unleash a counter-attack, something which was aided by listless captaincy and some pretty ordinary bowling.

VVS Laxman feels India missed the trick with the new ball

After taking the new ball, Kohli turned to Ashwin just after four overs and although he did take the wickets of Jamieson and de Grandhomme, the off-spinner was dealt with disdain by the Kiwi lower-order. Kohli’s decision has baffled many fans and former cricketers including VVS Laxman, who is pretty disappointed by Virat Kohli’s decisions and his field placements on the third day.

“After getting Tim Southee’s wicket, India let off New Zealand, at one stage it seemed they would not get even 100 runs lead but the partnership between Jamieson and Colin de Grandhomme got them to 183 runs lead. India will be ruing the fact – they were very defensive, tactics used by Virat Kohli were not right, especially when the second new ball was in operation” VVS Laxman said as quoted by Sportskeeda.

He added–  “I feel that the field settings by Virat Kohli were not right for the situation, especially with the new ball. Because when you are playing in overseas conditions, the new ball has a massive impact. In four overs he brought on Ravichandran Ashwin, I mean you have 3 quality fast bowlers you expect them to bowl at the tail. Virat Kohli missed a trick and this can cost India the Test match.”

Meanwhile, Kohli’s lean patch with the bat continued as he could manage just 19 runs before falling to Trent Boult. Earlier Mayank Agarwal scored a brilliant half-century but just as he was looking set for a big one, Tim Southee saw the back of the Karnataka opener. Ajinkya Rahane [25*] and Hanuma Vihari [15*] ensured that India did not lose any more wicket and finished the day with the score reading: 4-144- still 39 runs in arrears of New Zealand.

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