Monty Panesar speculates reason behind Virat Kohli's retirement ahead of England series: ‘He'll probably hasn't worked out solutions in that corridor of uncertainty'
As the Australian tour went on, Virat Kohli's dismissal started to become identical as he would flap at a delivery outside the off-stump around the fourth-fifth stump channel to edge it behind the stumps. However, it was not often he had these issues Down Under, but in English conditions, where he had issues regarding that line. Former England cricketer Monty Panesar speculated that it might be the reason why Kohli is not working out the solutions might be the probable cause of his retirement from the format.
'With Kohli, what has happened is that against the ball outside the off stump, the fifth stump line, especially in Australia on fast bouncy pitches, he was struggling,' Panesar said, speaking to PTI. 'So he probably thought maybe the fact that in England it is going to swing a lot more, he'll probably hasn't worked out solutions in that corridor of uncertainty.'
'And I think that's probably been one of the reasons why he thought to retire and put all his energy with RCB and ODI cricket for India,' Panesar observed. 'I think he's done very well as a cricketer in all formats. He has been a brilliant ambassador for Test cricket. He probably feels that he's done his best, he's achieved everything and probably feels like it's time for the youngsters to step up,' he added.
Regardless of his issues, technically, Kohli managed to have a brilliant tour to England in 2018. 'It would be a lot tougher for Kohli to repeat the same performances of 2018. Just a simple fact that he's been struggling over the last 12 to 18 months with that ball outside off stump. He hasn't got a solution for that, you know the problem that he has on the fourth and fifth stump. 'So he's thinking it's better for Indian cricket to give youngsters a go and hopefully find the next superstar,' concluded Panesar.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
35 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
MS Dhoni among seven others inducted into ICC's Hall of Fame
LONDON: Former India captain MS Dhoni was on Monday inducted into the ICC's Hall of Fame for the year 2025 along with Australian great Matthew Hayden and South Africa's Hashim Amla. The International Cricket Council (ICC) will be inducting seven cricketers 'five men and two women' in its Hall of Fame 2025. "Celebrated for his calm under pressure and unmatched tactical nous, but also a trailblazer in the shorter formats, MS Dhoni's legacy as one of the game's greatest finishers, leaders and wicketkeepers has been honoured with his induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame," said the ICC statement. "With 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals and 538 matches across formats for India, Dhoni's numbers reflect not just excellence but extraordinary consistency, fitness and longevity," it said. Dhoni, who led India to the T20 World Cup win in 2007, ODI World Cup victory in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013, said in a statement shared by the governing body that, "It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world." "To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever."
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
38 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Coach Manolo optimistic on eve of India's AFC Asian Cup qualifier tie
The recent defeat against Thailand notwithstanding, India head coach Manolo Mrquez on Monday exuded confidence on the eve of their vital 2027 Asian Cup qualifier match against Hong Kong here. Placed in Pot 1 for the qualifiers, India, ranked 127th, got off to a slow start in the qualifiers with a draw against Bangladesh in March before losing 0-2 to Thailand in a friendly last week. "In my opinion, most coaches are not worried about the scores in the friendly games. We are focussing on the important match (Hong Kong)," Manolo said. "I know everyone speaks about the score (against Thailand). But if we scored from the chances we created, it would have been different. This is football." Out of the three matches they have played so far this year, they have won one, drawn one, and lost one. The Group C table is still a clean slate with all four teams level on a point apiece after both games on matchday 1 on March 25 ended goalless. India and Bangladesh drew in Shillong, while Hong Kong also got a point away to Singapore. Only the group winners will qualify for the Asian Cup in 2027. "Our preparations have been much better this time, if we compare with the previous FIFA windows, where you practically don't have too much time. "We had about three weeks to prepare, between Kolkata, Bangkok, and here in Hong Kong. And we are ready to perform. Nothing special," said Manolo. "The environment in the team is quite good as well. Obviously, in all teams across the world, the environment is better when you are winning games constantly. But the environment, the relationship between the players, regardless of the results, is very good," he added. India centre-back Konsham Chinglensana Singh echoed the coach's words. "We are well prepared for the game after three weeks in the camp. Mentally, and physically, we have prepared well, and are ready for the game," he said. India, who made it to two successive Asian Cups for the first time in 2023, are aiming to extend the streak. Hong Kong also qualified for the previous tournament, but with only one available berth, either side is bound to miss out. In what will be the inaugural football match at the newly built 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium, the tickets reportedly have been sold out and a full house can be expected on Tuesday. "We will try to enjoy the situation in this stadium. I don't know if it will be completely full, but a lot of people will be there. It will be a nice event, but obviously, we are focusing on winning the game," said Manolo. Hong Kong's head coach, Ashley Westwood, is no stranger to Indian football, having coached clubs like Bengaluru FC, ATK, and Punjab FC before taking up international coaching roles, first in Afghanistan, followed by Hong Kong. "I went to India in 2013, and the country is a million miles away from where it was back then. I know their coach, I watched the ISL. He's a good coach, and he's been doing good things with FC Goa. He coaches right, he prepares right, and his players are always fit. "The spirit's good in the squad, and everybody gets on with each other. We're looking forward to it," he said. India and Hong Kong have crossed swords 24 times. The Blue Tigers have won nine of these matches, while Hong Kong have won eight. Seven matches have ended in draws.
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
RCB's bitter victory - The cost of celebration
Bengaluru: An aerial view of fans gathering for Royal Challengers Bengaluru�s fan engagement programme after the team won the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, near M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (PTI Photo) (PTI06_04_2025_000476B) By Vinod Jacob, Urban strategist and general manager, Namma Bengaluru Foundation The finger-pointing began almost as soon as the news broke. On June 4, a devastating stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium shattered what, less than 24 hours earlier, had been a moment of pure jubilation for Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans, celebrating their first IPL trophy win after eighteen agonising seasons. Eleven lives were claimed, and dozens were injured. The irony was palpable: a triumph long yearned for, now overshadowed by loss. Arrests were made. Officials suspended, followed by more resignations, ex gratia promises — and even calls for Virat Kohli's arrest — while the blame game raged on. But this isn't merely about individual culpability. This is about a systemic breakdown — a question of total administrative failure, especially when dealing with an event that touches the very core of India's cricket passion. For a nation where cricket borders on religion, any public gathering of this magnitude demands meticulous foresight. Was M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with its 35,000-seat capacity, ever truly suitable for a city-wide victory parade, particularly one made free after initially being a paid event? The answer, tragically, is no. The entire celebration should have been shifted to a venue, like the Palace Grounds, the BIEC, or a similar venue, offering proper entry/exit points and capacity for millions. The fact that RCB was headed to the finals had been known for a full week. This provided ample time for the responsible authorities to engage in comprehensive planning, coordinate with the police machinery, and anticipate the monumental public turnout. To now deflect blame onto an already overburdened police department, reeling from the previous night's unruly celebrations where citizens went berserk, pulling out barricades, seems not just unfair, but a convenient diversion from deeper administrative shortcomings. And why was there need for two locations? A single, well-planned convergence at one venue could have ensured effective crowd management, robust contingency plans, and, most critically, citizen safety. That safety aspect appears to have been completely disregarded. The stadium's own infrastructure is wanting – narrow, unramped gates with metal obstructions, utterly incapable of handling a rush, even for a normal game, let alone a historic celebration. Bengaluru has hosted large-scale gatherings before; surely lessons could have been learned from major shows that proceeded without incident. Other metros – Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai – have successfully orchestrated similar mass celebrations. Why, then, can Bengaluru, the supposed IT capital, not leverage technology for better crowd management, anticipating flows and ensuring security? A bus parade, like those seen elsewhere, would have been infinitely safer than directing millions to a fixed point of convergence. Unchecked chaos also inflicted damage on Cubbon Park. Trees, plants, and even birds' nests were destroyed due to the event's chaotic spillover — another terrible blow to Bengaluru's strained biodiversity, a particularly painful scar on the so-called 'Garden City'. Fans have every right to celebrate after an 18-year wait; they cannot be blamed for their exuberant outpouring. While citizens do bear some responsibility for failing to adhere to basic crowd control measures like queuing and respecting barricades, the primary culpability lies with the planning. The critical misallocation of manpower at free gates, with too few police for too many unmanned entry points and the added burden of VIP security, tragically sealed the fate for those eleven lives. The euphoria of victory has been drowned out by the cries of anguish. Bengaluru must now reflect, learn, and ensure that no triumph, no matter how sweet, is ever again marred by such preventable sorrow. The blame isn't diffused; it lies squarely with a system unprepared to manage its grand moments. What systemic changes will we truly implement to prevent history from tragically repeating itself ?
