Virat Kohli was ‘annoyed’ at two India team-mates during England Test defeat

Cricket: Root reflects on historic India victory

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.

Virat Kohli was not happy with a couple of his team-mates’ performances in the first Test against England, according to reports. England beat India by 227 runs in the match at Chennai, with a Joe Root double hundred inspiring the tourists to an impressive victory.

India have now lost their last four Tests under the captaincy of Kohli, as pressure mounts on the 32-year-old’s position.

The toss was clearly crucial and England took full advantage of it, racking up 578 in the first innings.

Ravi Ashwin got through 55 overs in and was backed up well by the opening pair of Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah.

But it was the two inexperienced spinners who let Kohli down.

The Guardian claims Kohli was left ‘annoyed’ by the efforts of Shahbaz Nadeem and Washington Sundar.

The pair both went at almost four runs an over in the first innings.

Nadeem claimed four wickets in the match but was again expensive in the second innings.

The 31-year-old was playing just his second Test and could be replaced by Kuldeep Yadav in the second match of the series.

Sundar has also played just two Tests but his batting prowess – which saw him strike an unbeaten 85 in the first innings – could see him keep his place in the XI.

Meanwhile, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane struck two low scores in the first Test.

But Kohli has backed his fellow 32-year-old

“Look if you’re trying to dig something out, you’re not going to get anything because there’s nothing,” Kohli said during the post-match press conference.

“I’ve said this many times in the past as well – along with [Cheteshwar] Pujara, he [Rahane] is our most important Test batsman and he is going to continue to be.

“We believe in his abilities, we have believed in his abilities for a long time now and he’s an impact player.

“There’s absolutely no issues, everyone’s playing really well and we just need to be focused a lot more, understand that Test victories are earned in any conditions – whether they’re your own or you’re playing away. 

“Nothing is a given in Test cricket and we need to be aware of that reality and work together as a team to keep putting a lot of pressure on the opposition. That’s our focus.”

Source: Read Full Article