'If he would have..': Wasim Jaffer analyzes Virat Kohli's dismissal during versus Pakistan

In a highly anticipated showdown against Pakistan on Saturday, India's Asia Cup 2023 campaign got off to a strong start. Shortly after India's innings concluded, rain started to fall at Pallekele, forcing the game's cancellation. The top two batsmen for India, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in particular, had trouble against Pakistani bowling. Rohit made 11 runs in 22 balls, and Kohli managed only 4 runs in the 7 balls he faced. Team India scored 266 runs in 48.5 overs. 

3 things you need to know

• The game was washed out due to heavy rain
• Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan had a partnership of 138 runs 
• India and Pakistan both received a point in Group A

Also Read: IND vs PAK: DJ in Lanka plays 'Ram Siya Ram' after every 4 or 6, internet stunned

IND vs PAK: Wasim Jaffer makes a huge statement about Virat Kohli

(Virat Kohli ahead of the IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 clash / Image: AP)

Wasim Jaffer, a former Indian batsman, has shared his thoughts on Virat Kohli's dismissal during Saturday's Asia Cup 2023 match against Pakistan in Pallekele. The Men in Blue won the toss and decided to bat first in the much-awaited India-Pakistan match, which finally ended in a tie due to rain. Their tally of 266 runs in 48.5 overs was respectable. However, India had a difficult beginning as Shaheen Afridi removed both Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (4).

When Kohli tried to hit a short-of-a-length delivery outside off without changing his feet, the ball was dragged back against his stumps and he was out. When discussing Kohli's dismissal, Jaffer opined that the Indian batsman should have handled the delivery better. He said: 

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“He tried to play with an angled bat towards third man. The ball stopped a bit and then he got that inside edge. Maybe if he would have played it straighter, the dismissal might not have taken place,” 

IND vs PAK: Wasim Jaffer said that Virat Kohli had a poor execution

Jaffer continued by saying that using an angled bat can be a dangerous strategy when the ball is swinging and seaming somewhat.

“When the ball is coming onto the bat nicely, then you can easily score runs towards third man. But when the ball is moving around, there are chances that it can jag back and hit the stumps. The execution from Virat Kohli was not good,”

Following Virat Kohli's elimination, India also had to deal with the swift dismissals of Shreyas Iyer, who finished with a score of 14, and Shubman Gill, who managed to score 10 runs. Ishan Kishan (82 off 81) and Hardik Pandya (87 off 90) provided a critical fifth-wicket partnership totalling 138 runs, saving India and helping them reach a total of 266 runs.