Leeds: Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has advised Virat Kohli to seek help from Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar in order to sort out technical problems he is facing in English conditions. The right-hander isn’t having the best of time with the bat in England.
In the ongoing Test series against England, Kohli has scored just 69 runs, with a highest of 42 runs. Gavaskar’s remarks came after the Indian skipper was dismissed by James Anderson in the first innings of the third Test for just seven runs off 17 balls.
“He should give a quick call to Sachin Tendulkar and ask what should I do?” said Gavaskar during commentary on Wednesday. The former India opener and captain, who was the first to reach the 10000-run mark in Test cricket, said that Kohli chasing deliveries outside the off-stump is worrying.
“That is a bit of a worry for me, because he is getting dismissed at the fifth, sixth and even seventh stump. In 2014, he was getting out more around the off-stump,” added Gavaskar. Back in 2014 when Virat had a horrible time on the England tour, he had contacted Tendulkar. Later that year, he gained back his form and also became India’s full-time Test skipper.
Gavaskar said Kohli should follow the methods of Tendulkar which the legendary batsman implemented in the Sydney Test in 2003-04. Tendulkar had played a knock during the fourth Test of the 2003-04 series against Australia in Sydney. He curbed his instincts and did not play cover drive during his 613-minute and 436-ball stay and went on to score unbeaten 241.
“He should do what Sachin Tendulkar did at Sydney. Say to himself that I am not going to play the cover drive,” added Gavaskar.
