‘Wasn’t In Control of His Emotions’: Brad Hogg Feels Virat Kohli Was ‘Overanalysing’ In Pune Test – News18

Last Updated:October 31, 2024, 00:46 IST

Speaking about Virat Kohli’s approach, Brad Hogg claimed that the former India skipper over-analysed the situation in Pune.

Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg said that Virat Kohli failed to control his emotions during the second test of the series between India and New Zealand. India recently suffered defeats in the first two Test matches, losing the series 0-2 at home.

Speaking about Kohli’s approach, Hogg claimed that the former India skipper over-analysed the situation in Pune which led to his dismissal in the first innings. “He [Virat Kohli] just looked like he was overanalysing. He looked as if he wasn’t in control of his emotions and it showed in the shot that he played when he got out,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel.

Brad Hogg felt India underestimated their opponents and eventually had to play catch-up cricket to overturn the series. “They took New Zealand too lightly and they are trying to play catch-up cricket,” he said. Hogg also acknowledged India changed their approach in the second Test in Pune and played more aggressively in response. “All of a sudden, you saw that mindset shift with Virat Kohli in the first innings of the second Test match. He was more aggressive, the way he strolled out there, the way that he was trying to attack the bowling,” Hogg said.

India now has one last opportunity to save themselves from a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand. Speaking about the upcoming fixture at the Wankhede Stadium, Brad Hogg emphasized how Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will have to step up for the hosts this time. “If you look at the technique of Rohit Sharma to Southee, he’s going to have to be a little bit tighter. Virat Kohli has to switch on from ball one,” he explained.

Gautam Gambhir’s men faced a lot of scrutiny after losing back-to-back Tests against New Zealand. It was India’s first red-ball cricket series defeat at home in 12 years. They last lost to England in 2012. The third Test of their ongoing series will now be crucial for India. They are yet to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. A victory against the Kiwis will bring them closer to making a third successive final at the ICC event. It will also help the side warm themselves up for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.