'Kohli is not in practice' - Former Pakistan player raises question on Virat Kohli's preparation amid Sri Lanka struggles

Former Pakistan player Basit Ali has raised a huge question on Virat Kohli's preparations amid the struggle in the Sri Lanka series.

Virat Kohli has been going through a lean patch for some time now. He endured a dismal run during the T20 World Cup, and then played a superb knock in the final.

Having retired from T20Is after India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, Kohli returned to the Indian team for the Sri Lanka series under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, his performances in the first two matches have been disappointing, with scores of 24 and 14 on spin-friendly tracks.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali expressed his surprise at Kohli's struggles and spoke about his inability to play spin bowling in the series.

"A great batsman like Virat Kohli, the world's number one batsman, has been out LBW twice. It's understandable if it happens to Iyer or Dube, but Virat Kohli is Virat Kohli. This means that he is not in practice," Basit said on his YouTube Channel.

Kohli's dismissals in both matches came via LBW, first to Wanindu Hasaranga and then to Jeffrey Vandersay. These dismissals have raised questions about the batter's preparation and form against spin bowling. Ali also pointed out concerns about other key players in the Indian lineup.

"It did not seem that this is the batting lineup which rules the world. I feel that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul probably haven't even practiced. These people have come without practice," he added.

The former Pakistani cricketer didn't hold back in his criticism of Shreyas Iyer either, suggesting it might be time for changes in the playing lineup.

"I don't understand what is Shreyas Iyer going to do with such performances. I think the time has come for Rishabh Pant, Riyan Parag, and Rinku Singh," he concluded.

India is currently trailing 1-0 in the Sri Lanka series and will be desperate to restore parity in the final ODI match on Wednesday (August 7) in Colombo.