“Big players often lose concentration against weak teams” – Basit Ali on Virat Kohli’s twin failures in IND vs BAN 2024 1st Test

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali reckons big players often lose concentration against weak teams after Virat Kohli failed to deliver for India in the opening Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

India registered a huge win of 280 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series but Kohli and Indian skipper Rohit Sharma could not deliver with the bat. Kohli was caught behind after scoring only six runs in the first innings whereas he was plumbed in front by Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the second essay after scoring 17 runs.

However, Kohli was a bit unlucky in the second innings as he got an edge before the ball hit his pads but he decided not to go for the review.

Basit Ali said on his YouTube Channel, “Virat will return to form against Australia. He will like the pacy wickets in Australia. Big players often lose concentration against weak teams but they do well against tougher oppositions.”

Ali is optimistic that India won’t allow Australia to win the Border-Gavaskar trophy. India has won on the last two tours of Australia and they will look to replicate the same success.

“People say India win at home but they have won two series in Australia as well. India won’t allow Australia to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year as well.”

Kohli holds the key for India in the middle order and it will be crucial for the team that he returns to his best form before the crucial tour of Australia.

The talisman has scored 2042 runs in 25 Test matches against Australia at an average of 47.48, including eight centuries. Kohli has even better numbers while playing in Australia as he has scored 1352 runs in 13 Test matches at an impressive average of 54.08, including six centuries.

The second Test match between India and Bangladesh will be played at Green Park, Kanpur from September 27.