Ian Chappell opens up on Virat Kohli’s Test future, says he needs to stop his senseless tactics

Former Australian skipper Ian Chappell has urged Virat Kohli to stop his senseless tactics. Kohli struggled to get going in the five-match Test series against Australia as he managed 190 runs at an average of 23.75. 

Barring scoring a hundred in the opening game at Perth, Kohli failed to come up with consistent performances. Furthermore, Kohli shouldered Australian debutant Sam Konstas in the first innings of the fourth Test at the MCG and was fined 20% match fees.

Chappell reckons Kohli’s experience is going to be vital for India on the tour of England in June and July. Kohli has been averaging around 30 in the last five years in red-ball format and he would need to turn the tables.

Ian Chappell wrote on ESPNCricinfo, “Virat Kohli’s experience in the UK would be invaluable, and of the two problematic players he’s the most likely to be resuscitated. However, his consistency needs to improve in addition to dispensing valuable advice to younger players. He also has to stop his senseless antics like shouldering Konstas in the MCG Test. If Kohli does decide to retire from Test cricket, the loss of both him and Rohit would leave a huge gap in the line-up for a tough tour.”

On the other hand, the Indian captain Rohit Sharma managed only 31 runs in five innings before he decided to opt out of the fifth Test at Sydney. Chappelli, as he is famously known, feels it would be difficult for Rohit to get back amongst the runs in Test format.

“The soon-to-be-38-year-old Rohit, facing a crammed five-Test series against England in a few months, is a doubtful quantity. Although India are extremely reluctant to part with star players, lately Rohit has struggled technically and his absence would provide uncertainty over the opening position and the captaincy. KL Rahul is a decent opening alternative but the captaincy provides a bigger headache whenever Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable.”

India will next host England for five T20Is and three ODIs.