'If Virat Kohli Was Playing...': Former England Star Criticizes Rohit Sharma's Captaincy After 1st Test
Following England 's 28-run win over India in the first Test match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday, former cricketer Monty Panesar expressed his views on the match. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Monty said that England's win over India was significant, and no one anticipated such an outcome.
He emphasised that the hosts need to curtail the freedom given to the English players and suggested that if Virat Kohli were in the team, he would have charged the visitors.
Panesar remarked, "It is a very big victory; no one even imagined this was even possible. Everyone thought that England would lose after a 190-run deficit, but Ollie Pope had a brilliant inning, one of the best innings we have seen in a long time, and Rohit Sharma was clueless. India needs to stop giving the freedom that the England players are getting. If Virat Kohli was playing, he would have been in the faces of these England players and told them, 'Hey, do it again, let's see how good you are.' This is an England team who are not scared of losing; they don't scare if they lose. In the next four games, they (England) would still play with the fear of failure."
He further added that England's 28-run win in the first Test match over India felt like they had won the World Cup. "It was one of the most famous victories England have ever produced overseas. This is big news in England. It feels like we have won the World Cup," he added.
Panesar highlighted that the England team is learning from India by observing the bowlers, their batting, and body language. He pointed out how Ben Stokes backed Tom Hartley even after a subpar performance in the first inning, and later, the English spinner excelled in the second inning.
"I think England is a team who are learning from India; they watch India, they see how the bowlers bowl, they watch how they bat and their body language. They look at any weakness in the Indian team, and then they start understanding that they can beat India. I will give you an example, Axar Patel was not mentally tough and dropped catches. On the other hand, look at Tom Hartley; in the first inning, Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed him so many fours, but Ben Stokes backed him; his captaincy was brilliant, and Hartley's second-inning bowling performance was brilliant," he added.
Panesar mentioned that Ben Stokes' side's approach is different, and the visitors would learn from Rohit Sharma's side and beat them "fearlessly." "This England team's approach is totally different. They will look at India and learn from them and will beat them, and they are playing fearlessly," he added.
Regarding the injuries to Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul for the second Test match, Panesar commented that now "Rohit Sharma can show his true captaincy" and urged the Indian skipper to show some fight.
"I think it makes it easier for Rohit Sharma now. Rohit Sharma will say that they need to play fearlessly. Now Rohit Sharma can show his true captaincy. He needs to show that they won't get down after losing the first Test match. Come on, Rohit Sharma, show some fight," he added.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Monday that Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul have been ruled out of the second Test match against England due to injuries.
Talking about Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley's performance, he added that if the two English cricketers continue their form, then the visitors have a chance to win the series by 5-0. "If Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley continue to play like this, it will be a whitewash, it will be 5-0 for England. It can happen if Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley play like this," he added.
Concluding his remarks, Panesar noted that Kohli's "presence and intensity" are missing from the India team. He added that Rohit needs to prove himself now that he can turn around the series without Kohli.
"Virat Kohli has that presence and intensity, which is missing currently in the India team. Virat Kohli has that aura and presence. If England wins the next Test match, then India will be in big trouble. This is a big moment for Rohit Sharma; he needs to show that he can turn around the match without Virat Kohli," he added.
Kohli has withdrawn from the first two Tests against England due to personal reasons, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced.
Recapping the first Test match in Hyderabad, Ollie Pope's blitzkrieg, and debutant Tom Hartley's spin inspired England to a 28-run victory in the first Test against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. After Pope's 196 inspired England's hopes of an unprecedented comeback, debutant Tom Hartley's magic with the ball on Day 4 did the trick for the visitors. The slow left-arm orthodox spinner made the most of the surface that kept low, causing trouble for the Indian batters. Hartley's immediate impact in the third session took crucial wickets, contributing to England's control of the game.
He emphasised that the hosts need to curtail the freedom given to the English players and suggested that if Virat Kohli were in the team, he would have charged the visitors.
Panesar remarked, "It is a very big victory; no one even imagined this was even possible. Everyone thought that England would lose after a 190-run deficit, but Ollie Pope had a brilliant inning, one of the best innings we have seen in a long time, and Rohit Sharma was clueless. India needs to stop giving the freedom that the England players are getting. If Virat Kohli was playing, he would have been in the faces of these England players and told them, 'Hey, do it again, let's see how good you are.' This is an England team who are not scared of losing; they don't scare if they lose. In the next four games, they (England) would still play with the fear of failure."
He further added that England's 28-run win in the first Test match over India felt like they had won the World Cup. "It was one of the most famous victories England have ever produced overseas. This is big news in England. It feels like we have won the World Cup," he added.
Panesar highlighted that the England team is learning from India by observing the bowlers, their batting, and body language. He pointed out how Ben Stokes backed Tom Hartley even after a subpar performance in the first inning, and later, the English spinner excelled in the second inning.
"I think England is a team who are learning from India; they watch India, they see how the bowlers bowl, they watch how they bat and their body language. They look at any weakness in the Indian team, and then they start understanding that they can beat India. I will give you an example, Axar Patel was not mentally tough and dropped catches. On the other hand, look at Tom Hartley; in the first inning, Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed him so many fours, but Ben Stokes backed him; his captaincy was brilliant, and Hartley's second-inning bowling performance was brilliant," he added.
Panesar mentioned that Ben Stokes' side's approach is different, and the visitors would learn from Rohit Sharma's side and beat them "fearlessly." "This England team's approach is totally different. They will look at India and learn from them and will beat them, and they are playing fearlessly," he added.
Regarding the injuries to Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul for the second Test match, Panesar commented that now "Rohit Sharma can show his true captaincy" and urged the Indian skipper to show some fight.
"I think it makes it easier for Rohit Sharma now. Rohit Sharma will say that they need to play fearlessly. Now Rohit Sharma can show his true captaincy. He needs to show that they won't get down after losing the first Test match. Come on, Rohit Sharma, show some fight," he added.
You may also like
- Karishma Kohli Lends Shoulder To Father Kuku Kohli's Mortal Remains, Looks Devastated; Heartbreaking Visuals Surface
- Starc replaces Bumrah as top-ranked Test bowler
- 'Most important is staying in present': Simarjeet reveals Dhoni's lesson after match-winning spell against Purani Dilli 6
- Roger Federer shines on US Open return: All we know
- WATCH: Viral Video Shows Stray Dog Biting Woman Carrying Toddler In Pune; Child Falls During Attack
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Monday that Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul have been ruled out of the second Test match against England due to injuries.
Talking about Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley's performance, he added that if the two English cricketers continue their form, then the visitors have a chance to win the series by 5-0. "If Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley continue to play like this, it will be a whitewash, it will be 5-0 for England. It can happen if Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley play like this," he added.
Concluding his remarks, Panesar noted that Kohli's "presence and intensity" are missing from the India team. He added that Rohit needs to prove himself now that he can turn around the series without Kohli.
"Virat Kohli has that presence and intensity, which is missing currently in the India team. Virat Kohli has that aura and presence. If England wins the next Test match, then India will be in big trouble. This is a big moment for Rohit Sharma; he needs to show that he can turn around the match without Virat Kohli," he added.
Kohli has withdrawn from the first two Tests against England due to personal reasons, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced.
Recapping the first Test match in Hyderabad, Ollie Pope's blitzkrieg, and debutant Tom Hartley's spin inspired England to a 28-run victory in the first Test against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. After Pope's 196 inspired England's hopes of an unprecedented comeback, debutant Tom Hartley's magic with the ball on Day 4 did the trick for the visitors. The slow left-arm orthodox spinner made the most of the surface that kept low, causing trouble for the Indian batters. Hartley's immediate impact in the third session took crucial wickets, contributing to England's control of the game.
Loving Newspoint? Download the app now
