Legendary Kumar Sangakkara feels it is unfair to label India as over-dependent on Virat Kohli and attributes the team’s debacle in the first two Tests against England to lack of preparation.
England won the first two of the five Tests in Birmingham and Lord’s, with Kohli was the only batsman to score any runs.
“It is almost unfair to the other batsmen because we have seen Virat batting like he has for the last few years. It is incredible to watch and he is an incredible performer, but others are also fantastic players,” Sangakkara told PTI.
“Pujara and Rahane are absolutely great batsmen. Pujara averages 50 in Test cricket, Rahane averages 50 overseas. Then, there are others. KL Rahul looks brilliant (when in form), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik these are no insignificant names.”
“They have struggled here and one of the reasons could be lack of preparation. So they really need to think hard because you cannot prepare while you are playing the Test matches. You have to find that confidence to answer the questions asked by English bowlers in training and in practice games.”
“English bowlers have exploited the usual sub-continental weaknesses here and that has created more questions than answers for the Indian side.”
Sangakkara felt India’s selection for Lord’s was “heavily influenced” by the way they played at Edgbaston.
“They haven’t played the same side for now 37 Tests, so that goes a lot to say how things are. I am not saying that it is a bad thing but sometimes in Test cricket batsmen and bowlers need consistency in selection. It gives you confidence, trust and the courage to go out there to perform for the side.”
