‘Feel Pity for Virat Kohli’: 1983 World Cup Hero Slams Ravindra Jadeja After India’s ODI Series Loss

India’s rare ODI series defeat at home to New Zealand has sparked sharp criticism from former cricketers, with Kris Srikkanth, a member of the 1983 World Cup–winning team, delivering one of the harshest assessments yet.

Expressing concern over India’s heavy dependence on Virat Kohli, Srikkanth questioned the continued selection of Ravindra Jadeja in the ODI setup following a string of underwhelming performances. Jadeja’s recent numbers—just one wicket across six matches against South Africa and New Zealand, along with limited contributions with the bat—have placed him firmly under scrutiny.

Reflecting on India’s struggles, Srikkanth said the team cannot rely on Kohli alone to rescue matches. He noted that despite Kohli’s century in the series decider—his 54th ODI hundred—India failed to capitalise, raising questions about support from the rest of the lineup.

The former opener pointed out that New Zealand’s relatively inexperienced bowling attack outperformed expectations, executing plans effectively under pressure. According to him, India’s inability to counter disciplined bowling spells and adapt tactically proved costly, even when the opposition fielded what was effectively a second- or third-choice attack.

Srikkanth also highlighted a visible dip in energy and impact from India’s bowling unit, stressing that past reputation cannot justify continued selection if performances fail to match expectations. While acknowledging Jadeja’s contribution during the 2023 World Cup, he warned that Indian cricket must prioritise current form over past achievements.

India’s loss to New Zealand cricket team has reignited debate around squad balance and accountability, especially with major ICC tournaments on the horizon. As criticism mounts, selectors now face growing pressure to reassess combinations and ensure that match-winning responsibility is shared across the XI rather than resting on one player alone.