Indian fans question Virat Kohli's captaincy for letting Australia off the hook

Virat Kohli as popular as he is for his batting isn’t quite a tactical skipper. A lot of times, the decisions with regards to team selection as well as on the field are later a subject of discussion and debate among experts as well as fans. After the Indian team lost the 1st T20I a lot of people found more reasons to criticize Kohli the captain in the 2nd T20I as well. ‘

At the MCG, Team India once again won the toss and in overcast conditions, Virat decided to bowl first. The Indian bowlers were on the money. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, in particular, pitched it up and swung the ball away to dismiss the Australian captain Aaron Finch for a duck. Khaleel Ahmed who had a miserable outing at the Gabba got another opportunity to redeem himself.

He used the ground to his advantage and bowled one short and wider at Chris Lynn who hit it straight to the deep point fielder. Khaleel also got the better of D’Arcy Short and then Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Marcus Stoinis and Krunal Pandya got his revenge against Glenn Maxwell. He got one to turn and took Maxwell’s off-stump, the same batter who had thrashed him in the previous match.

In the 11th over Australia were 62/5 and the pressure was on the home team. From that point they should’ve really pressed harder and ensured there was no getting away. Though Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in with the wicket of Alex Carey, the next man in Nathan Coulter-Nile and Ben McDermott with their cameos took the team very close to a good total.

Coulter-Niel who was brought in the game as a replacement for Billy Stanlake who hurt his ankle during the training session hit a couple of sixes and a boundary in his 9-ball 18. McDermott on the other end was more stable and accumulated crucial runs. He was unbeaten on 32 from 30 balls in the 19th over when the umpires took the players off the field.

Australia managed 132/7 in 19 overs from a position where getting to 100 also looked like a distant thought. Twitterati wasn’t pleased with the way India let Australia get off the hook.

Here are the reactions from angry Indian fans:

Seems like Kohli did not learn from the West Indies game, even though he wasn't the captain. Khaleel isn't a death bowler. Keeps bowling short and length balls #AusvInd #Cricket

— Giri Subramanian (@giri26) November 23, 2018

I think Rohit Sharma is a good captain. Kohli is a reaction captain.

— Sicario (@Indian_paradox) November 23, 2018

Khaleel should be kept for the last over….the only mistake of the captain so far.#AUSvIND #BCCI #rohitsharma#ViratKohli

— Sashikanta barik (@sashi6262) November 23, 2018

For decision like this we have captain on ground…
Virat kohli has no such brain in captaincy. Poor captaincy

— jay k (@jay_koli) November 23, 2018

*India bowls well*

Virat Kohli's brain :

Don't do it
Don't do it
Don't do it
Don't do it
Don't do it
Don't do it
Don't do it
Don't do it

Clouds : *Start Pouring*#AUSvIND

— Bade Chote (@badechote) November 23, 2018

Last mtch Kohli failed to complete the Bhuvi and Bumrah's 4 overs quota when Rain was around. And then this match, instead of trying to take last 3 wickets, he gave an over to Khaleel only for bhuvi to bowl 3 overs. would ve been chasing 15 runs less. Strange Captaincy. #AUSvIND

— Rajasekaran (@Raja1491) November 23, 2018

The one day Virat Kohli had captained well in a T20 match and the rain gods are like Aise Kaise BC.

— Clive (@vanillawallah) November 23, 2018

How can Kohli or any captain keep their best bowlers for the last, and keep bowling weaker bowlers, when they are bowling at the tail with rain around the corner – time and again? It is silly!#AUSvsIND @imVkohli @harbhajan_singh @cricketaakash

— Rajat Pratap Singh (@Rajatmeera) November 23, 2018

Kohli always finds a way to showcase his mediocracy as a captain. He has Australia down for 101-7 at the end of the 16th over, gives Bumrah the 17th who bowls a great one and then he brings on Khaleel. They are 7 down mate, BE POSITIVE for fucks sake. (1/3) #AUSvsIND #Cricket

— Bharat Dhir (@ibebharatdhir) November 23, 2018