Virat Kohli can’t come in the 28th over, reckons Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar, the former Pakistan fast-bowler, sounded a little apprehensive about Virat Kohli demoting himself down the order. In India’s first ODI against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the hosts’ skipper came to bat number four and could only manage 16 off 14. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa got rid of the big fish wicket through a rather simple caught and bowled.

From there on, the India lost their way and were shot out for 255 in the final over of the innings. On Tuesday, the Men in Blue fielded both KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan and hence, Kohli had to bat at four and he got his chance in the 28th over. As per Akhtar, a batter of Virat’s calibre can’t come midway through the innings. He feels that the Indian think-tank needs to revisit their tactic.

“It is a very embarrassing loss for India. India needs to go back on the desk to think about it. Kohli cannot come in the 28th over, period. Kohli needs to come earlier in this. Humiliating defeat for India and really sad to see that India was smashed and hammered by Australia,” Akhtar was quoted as saying in a video on his official YouTube Channel.

Australia have done wonders

Once India were bowled for the below-par score in batting-friendly conditions, the Aussies didn’t look back. Their openers- David Warner and Aaron Finch- didn’t put a foot wrong and scripted a resounding 10-wicket victory.

The duo shared an unbeaten 258-run stand and gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Akhtar reckons that Virat’s men need to pull their socks up and play ruthless cricket in order to make a strong comeback.

“Australia have done wonders. They are the team to look up for. If India continued to play like this and did not go with the ruthless approach then it will be a big problem for India. But I really think that India will make a really strong comeback,” Akhtar added.

After the drubbing in Mumbai, India will be looking to make amends in the second ODI on January 17 at the SCA Stadium in Rajkot. Bengaluru will host the third and final ODI on January 19.