Virat Kohli hasn't utilised his bowlers well, feels Ajit Agarkar

Team India fought back brilliantly in their ongoing 4th Test at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton. With a blistering century from Cheteshwar Pujara, the team gained a crucial 27-run lead in the first innings. However, they let the game drift away after getting the Brits by the scruff of their necks. On the third day, Virat Kohli made quite a few questionable bowling changes.

At the close of day on day-3, there were allegations on him that he had underutilised Mohammad Shami who was India’s best bowler on the day. The right-arm fast bowler bagged some crucial wickets including the ones of Jonny Bairstow and Keaton Jennings.

You don’t need to conserve your bowlers in the 2nd innings of a game

Former Indian speedster Ajit Agarkar seemed to be quite disappointed with Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper’s tactics. He praised Shami but didn’t understand the point in bowling Hardik Pandya for nine overs just to get to the new ball. Agarkar also said that Ashwin had a rough day on the field.

“I think Shami was the best bowler from the day and he bowled the least amount of overs from the top-four bowlers. For a period of 31 overs, he didn’t get to bowl. I think it is similar to what Root did, let the game drift a little bit. Again Ashwin kept bowling from one end. I can understand they wanted a lot more from Ashwin.

He had a tough day. One would have expected him to impact the game with a lot more of wickets. That wasn’t necessary for him. And Hardik Pandya, just to get India off to a new ball, comes and bowls nine overs for almost four runs an over and without getting a wicket is just getting the game goes along,” the former Indian pacer told ESPNcricinfo.

Agarkar also went on to add that there is no need of conserving the bowlers in the second innings of the game. “When you know it is your second innings, and you know you don’t need to conserve your bowler for another innings, and then you give the new ball to Ashwin.

On other days, it is understandable, but you have to pick your best bowlers on the day. These factors have made a definite impact on the game,” the 40-year-old added.

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