Legendary Sunil Gavaskar hailed Virat Kohli for hitting the nets soon after India’s 10-wicket loss against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Kohli, who has a terrific record at the Adelaide Oval, returned with scores of 7 and 11 in the second pink-ball Test.
The talisman had scored an unbeaten 100 in the second essay at Perth but he could not continue the purple patch. Kohli was dismissed by Mitchell Starc when he was looking to leave the ball in the first essay and then he was dismissed by Scott Boland in the second innings while meddling with fourth-stump delivery, which has been kryptonite in the last five years.
Sunil Gavaskar said while talking to the broadcasters, “By going out in the nets today, shows his dedication. But that is what I would like to see from everybody else. He’s not scored runs. He is very proud of what he achieves and does for India, and because he’s not scored runs in this game, he’s out in the nets.”
Gavaskar wants Indian players to follow in the footsteps of Virat Kohli and sweat it out in the nets.
“He’s (Kohli) working hard, he’s sweating, and that is what you want to see. After that if you get out, no problem, because that’s what sport is all about. You will get runs one day, will get wickets one day, next day you will not. But you’ve got to put in the effort. He is putting in the hard yards, he is putting in the effort, and that’s why I won’t be surprised if he’s back amongst the runs in the next game,” he added.
The Little Master urged Indian players to make the most of the practice sessions and rectify their errors by spending more time in the nets.
He concluded, “Look at the remainder of the series as a three-match series. Forget it was a five-Test series. What I would like this Indian team to do is use the next couple of days for practice. It’s very important. You can’t be sitting in your hotel room or wherever you’re going because you have come here to play cricket.”
The third Test match between India and Australia will be played at the Gabba, Brisbane from December 14.
