Since that phenomenal 136 against Bangladesh in India's historic Pink Ball Test in Kolkata in November 2019, Virat Kohli, India's former captain, has gone 71 innings without his 71st international hundred. With yet another Pink Ball Test in fray and this time in Bengaluru, the eagerness for fans to see the end of the long drought has increased. However, former Indian all-rounder Madan Lal feels that the drought must have been playing in his head and that he must have felt the pressure of it.
Like most of his previous innings during this streak, Kohli looked well set on Day 1 of the Mohali Test against Sri Lanka last week. It was the 33-year-old's 100th appearance in the format, but he was eventually stunned by left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldenita as he was dismissed for 45.
IND vs SL Live Score, 2nd Test
Speaking on the knock while in conversation with Aaj Tak, Madan said that Kohli had lacked concentration and questioned the logic behind him playing that wicket delivery on his backfoot.
“I watched his batting. I feel somewhere he is lacking his concentration. Question was, why did he go on backfoot? Might have been a mental block. But his batting was very positive. He started getting runs as soon as he came to the crease. But definitely he is capable,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“I watched his batting. I feel somewhere he is lacking his concentration. Question was, why did he go on backfoot? Might have been a mental block. But his batting was very positive. He started getting runs as soon as he came to the crease. But definitely he is capable,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}The 1983 World Cup-winning player feels that Kohli will feel more pressure the longer he takes to reach that elusive 71st century, but admitted that the Bengaluru conditions with favour the batter.
“We all want him to get out of this (century drought). I'm sure it must have been playing in his head. And one more thing, the more number of innings it takes to reach his next hundred, the more the pressure will be on him. In Bengaluru he will get one advantage which is that the pitch offers bounce and hence he might play better,” he added.
The Pink Ball Test will begin from March 12 onwards. It will be India's third Day-Night Test at home, with the team having won both their previous games.