“It Wasn’t A 6-Over Match”, Md. Kaif Is Upset With Virat Kohli’s Approach In Match Vs PBKS

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif has expressed his surprise and concern over Virat Kohli’s early dismissal in a recent shortened match, suggesting that the star batter deviated from his usual composed approach. According to Md. Kaif, Virat Kohli aggressive shot selection did not align with his typical game style and was not warranted given the 14 overs available.

Kohli managed just one run from three balls before being sent back to the pavilion by Arshdeep Singh in the third over. Reflecting on the situation during his appearance on Star Sports, Kaif pointed out that Kohli had ample time to assess the conditions and ease into the innings instead of going for a risky big shot right away.

“84 deliveries in an innings means that there is time. The shot that Virat Kohli hit, stepping forward, trying to strike a six, he usually does not do all of this. If it were a 20-over game, Kohli would have looked to punch that ball, I can tell you that with guarantee,” Kaif explained, questioning the decision-making behind Kohli’s shot.

He elaborated further, adding, “That was a ball meant to be punched through the point. But because it was a 14-over game, there was the temptation to play a much more attacking brand of cricket. The pitch was damp, the ball was stopping a bit.”

Md. Kaif was not just critical of Virat Kohli but highlighted that several other Bengaluru batters fell victim to similar misjudgments, with many losing their wickets in an attempt to clear the ropes too early. “Not only Kohli, but the other batters as well. So, he should have spent some time in the middle, 14 overs is a lot, he must have thought it was a six-over game,” Kaif remarked, emphasizing the need for a more measured approach despite the reduced overs.

Bengaluru’s batting collapse left them in a dire situation, crumbling to 46/8 at one point. However, a late resistance from Tim David brought some stability, as he managed to steer the team to 95/9 by the close of the innings. Kohli’s dismissal was particularly dramatic, with Marco Jansen covering significant ground—about 20 metres—to complete a sharp catch off Arshdeep’s delivery.

Kaif’s comments underline the importance of adapting to conditions and maintaining composure, regardless of match length. In his view, even a 14-over format allows enough time for batters to settle before launching into aggressive strokeplay—a lesson he believes Kohli and his teammates momentarily forgot.