Steve Waugh feels Virat Kohli is paying the price of not respecting Adam Zampa

Steve-Waugh-believes-Virat-Kohli-needs-to-give-more-respect-to-Zampa

When the two titans of international cricket, India, and Australia locked horns for the first of three ODIs at the Wankhede Stadium a couple of days ago, many mouth-watering battles were on the cards. Cricket fanatics were eager to see whether in-form Pat Cummins had any answer for Rohit Sharma’s shots, whether Jasprit Bumrah was good enough to fool David Warner. But above all, everyone was eagerly awaiting the Virat Kohli vs Adam Zampa battle.adam-zampa-vs-india-1st-odi-2020

Virat Kohli, who normally gives nightmares to all the world-class bowlers, has struggled against Adam Zampa in the past. Prior to the last game, the Australian spin wizard had got Kohli out five times, making him the unlikely nemesis to one of the best of world cricket. Kohli decided to have his revenge and hence started playing aggressively when Zampa came into the attack. However, moments after hitting a six, he was dismissed by the Aussie spinner yet again.

Though many are scratching their heads, trying to find out why a batsman of his caliber has been dismissed six times by Zampa, former Australian skipper Steve Waugh seems to have the answer. According to Waugh, Kohli has not respected Zampa in the last game and tried to take him for runs. “I just don’t think he’s showing Zampa enough respect and he paid the price,” said Waugh, while commentating on Fox Cricket.zampa-kohli-1st-odi-aus-vs-india-2020

Kohli himself called for respect

Though Waugh might think that the Indian skipper wasn’t respectful, Kohli himself said prior to the match that the Indian batters need to respect Zampa’s abilities. “He’s still skillful enough to make breakthroughs also, so we have to be respectful but at the same time have belief in our game to be able to play well against them,” said Kohli, as per quotes in Hindustan Times.

“He was probably one bowler, who had more belief than others (in the India-Australia series of 2019). Throughout the game, even when he was hit for boundaries, he kept coming at the batsmen and try and get them out, which I think is important for a wrist-spinner. And his mindset was a stand out for them in the last series,” he further added.