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'Someone Like Pujara...,' Kumble Suggests Virat Kohli's Demotion After India Get Bundled Out For 46

Virat Kohli fell for a duck in India's 46 (Source@OneCricketApp/X.com)Virat Kohli fell for a duck in India's 46 (Source@OneCricketApp/X.com)

Team India’s star-studded batting line-up folded up for just 46 in 31.2 overs against New Zealand on Day 2 of the series-opening Bengaluru Test on October 17. As many as five Indian batters, including the likes of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, fell for ducks to give New Zealand pacemen an early advantage amidst overcast conditions.

Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble has now reprimanded the batting approach of the hosts, and even questioned the experimental batting position of Kohli.

Kumble believes IND needed Pujara’s approach vs NZ

While speaking on JioCinema after Team India skittled out for just 46 against New Zealand, former Indian spinner Anil Kumble criticized Virat Kohli’s ascension to number three on the batting order. Kumble believes Kohli should bat at number four, considering he is the best batter to play at that specific position within the current Indian team.

The former captain also added that for the number three position, Team India requires someone as calm and composed like India’s quintessential batting barnacle, Cheteshwar Pujara. Anil Kumble opined that a player like Pujara would have employed defensive approach, unlike other players in the line-up who attacked the ball despite India’s top-order debacle. He said:

“Virat Kohli should have batted at No. 4, he is your No.1 batter at that position. For the number three position, someone like Cheteshwar Pujara, who did so well for so many years playing there. 100 Test matches because he would have been there today, then he wouldn't have gone looking to hit the ball, I think. He would allow the ball to come on and that's where you miss someone like that. (It's been that) Kind of approach today. And India is certainly in a spot of bother here.”

For New Zealand, fast bowlers Matt Henry (5-15) and William O’Rourke (4-22) inflicted most of the damage to the Indian line-up after Tim Southee’s early breakthrough.

In the afternoon session of Day 2, visiting openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway shared 67 runs together as New Zealand march towards gaining a sizeable lead over Rohit Sharma and co.