Someone should've told Virat, 'don’t play this shot': Yograj Singh on batter's struggles in BGT

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): After India's 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former cricketer Yograj Singh shared his thoughts on the lack of form shown by senior Indian batters during the series. Singh specifically highlighted Virat Kohli's repetitive dismissals throughout the series, emphasizing that someone should have advised the star batter against playing a particular shot. In the five Tests, Kohli scored just 190 runs and was dismissed eight times while chasing balls outside the off-stump. Rohit Sharma, who missed the Perth Test due to the birth of his second child, managed only 31 runs in three Tests before opting for rest during the fifth Test in Sydney.

Singh stated that while a player representing India may not always require traditional coaching, they do need effective man-management to help improve their game. "When you're playing for India, the role of a coach takes on a different meaning. Exceptional players don't necessarily need coaching in the conventional sense. What they need is someone who can manage their mindset," Singh explained. "At times, a player might feel blocked, unable to score runs, or getting out repeatedly. Even great players cannot be bigger than the game itself."

He further pointed out that such players need someone to guide them, suggesting things like working on specific areas in the nets. "For example, Virat Kohli got out several times playing his favorite shot - the right-hand push. This shot works well on Indian pitches, as well as in England. But on pitches with more bounce, someone should have told him not to play that shot. Instead, just play straight or leave the ball. This is the difference between coaching and management," he added. Singh highlighted the need for someone to address these technical issues and communicate them to the players. "But who will tell Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma? Even they need someone to point out what's going wrong."

Singh stressed the importance of proper management, stating that it's about understanding when a player’s mindset is affected and offering reassurance. "Every player faces a downfall, even the best. It's part of the game," he said. He also discussed head coach Gautam Gambhir's coaching approach, praising him for his brilliant cricketing mind and ability to guide the team. However, Singh emphasized the importance of management when it comes to supporting younger players, particularly fast bowlers like Mohammed Siraj. "Someone needs to tell them, 'Virat, don’t worry; it happens to everyone.' 'Rohit, these phases come and go.' 'Bumrah, you're doing great; stay focused.' The younger players, especially fast bowlers like Siraj, need guidance and support," Singh said. "When players struggle, management plays a crucial role in lifting them up," he concluded. Following India's six-wicket loss in the Sydney Test, they missed out on a spot in the 2025 World Test Championship final, leaving Australia to face South Africa in pursuit of their second consecutive title at Lord's.