NEWS
Follow UsFormer South African batter Daryll Cullinan feels it was “selfish” of R Ashwin to retire mid-series during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The ace off-spinner featured in the second Test in Adelaide but was left out of the playing XI for the third Test in Brisbane. Following that match, Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket.
“Ashwin should not be retiring or allowed to retire mid-series. It was a selfish move, clearly for reasons he won't make public. It was a spiteful reaction to not being selected. It can be disruptive to a team mid-series. It was a matter of weeks. He could have retired after Sydney [fifth Test],” Cullinan told the Hindustan Times.
Talking about Virat Kohli’s never-ending issue of flirting with deliveries outside off and nicking behind them the stumps, Cullinan said: “In my opinion, Kohli's lack of form is technical and starts with an erroneous coaching belief about the set-up at the crease.
“The open stance with the front foot retracted back towards the square leg is at fault, and I see it coached around the world today. In red-ball cricket, and note I say red-ball cricket, it's causing major issues for batsmen in defence and attack on and outside off stump. Added to this, Kohli is pressing his front foot straight down the pitch before the ball leaves the bowler's hand.
“In a millisecond, turn your front shoulder and get your foot moving across towards the ball outside off stump. It's impossible! All you can do then is throw your hands at the ball, which Kohli is doing. The reality is that shot against Starc, which got him out, was on.
“The world is saying it's a mental fault. Partly true. You see, we must recognize Kohli's natural instinct is to attack, and he must continue to look to attack. That's when he is at his best. He knows no other way, and he's not going to change now. Asking him to be more disciplined outside off stump will only increase his anxiety levels.
“The answer for Kohli is adopting a more side-on stance, keeping his head still, and limiting his backlift. The 2018 images illustrate this. He can still make his trigger movements but keep them small. I suggest this method for all red-ball cricket. The reality is that cricket is a sideways game and always will be. It's the old way and still the best way.”
