'He knew as soon as he missed'- Sunil Gavaskar analyzes Virat Kohli's dismissal in Bengaluru Test

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has said that ‘playing across the line’ costed Virat Kohli his wicket on Day 1 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Skipper Rohit Sharma after winning the toss decided to bat first on what is looking a rank turner wicket.

The home side had a poor start after losing opener Mayank Agarwal at a form of run out at the score of ten runs. India felt another jolt in form of skipper Rohit after, who was sent to pavilion by Lasith Embuldeniya with India languishing at a score of 29/2. In walked Virat Kohli, who received a rousing reception from the Chinnaswamy crowd.

Virat Kohli did not even consider to send the decision upstairs

Both Kohli and Hanuma Vihari stitched a valuable partnership of 47 runs before Vihari was caught behind. Kohli on other hand was looking good till a ball from Sri Lankan off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva delivery turned and kept low, hitting the 33-year old just above the ankle area and the standing umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger. Kohli who was playing at an individual score of 23 runs did not even consider to use the review and walked back to the pavilion dejected.

Former Indian skipper Gavaskar has now opined that Virat Kohli perhaps could have avoided playing that particular shot. “Today you could say that the shot he played shouldn’t have been played. The trajectory meant, he went on to the backfoot like the first Test in Mohali but this time he played across his front pad, which meant he was always going to struggle. If he missed it, he was always going to be a candidate for LBW, which is exactly what happened,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

“He knew as soon as he missed and the ball hit his pads, he was right in front. He didn’t even look for a referral. So, playing across the line cost him today,” Gavaskar added.