'Being late is fine. Being very late is dangerous': Rashid Latif points out Kohli's 'weakness'; 'It has gone too long'

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif spoke in detail about Kohli's struggles with the bat and insisted that it is time for the former India captain to get back to run-scoring.

Former India captain Virat Kohli has been going through a rough patch so far. His wait for a 71st international century has extended by over two years and while Kohli has registered four international fifties this year so far, his failure to convert them to big knocks has been a cause of worry. In his 100th Test, Kohli started strongly but was dismissed by Lasith Embuldeniya, courtesy of a sharp turn away from the right-hander which struck the stumps.

Mohali: India's Virat Kohli reacts on his dismissal after making 45 runs, on the 1st day of the first cricket test match between India and Sri Lanka, at IS Bindra PCA Stadium, Mohali. (PTI)

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif spoke in detail about Kohli's struggles with the bat and insisted that it is time for the former India captain to get back to run-scoring.

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“It is time for him to score runs. The bad patch has gone for too long. He has got a great chance here. People are very concerned over his century, but I think he will be slamming a hundred either in this Test or in the next two-three games,” Latif said on his official YouTube channel.

“He had internal problems and lost his captaincy, went out of form. The opposition also works on his weakness and they are bowling him according to the plan.”

Further talking about Kohli's weakness, Latif said that he bats with an open stance and that leads to him being far away from the ball while he goes for the deliveries outside the off-stump.

“Some players don't believe in data when they're in a good patch. It is time for him to to go data analysts. The problem is he has an open stance and chasing deliveries outside off. The opposition has worked on this weakness,” said Latif.

“He has to lessen the number of dot balls he plays. He has to be more aggressive. He has to fasten his initial movement. He is farther from the ball with his open stance. Being late is fine, being very late is dangerous.”