India vs Australia: Ian Chappell, Michael Clarke criticise Virat Kohli's tactics

Sydney: Just into his second Test as India captain, Virat Kohli has come under severe criticism for his tactics from Australian batting greats Ian Chappell and Michael Clarke for the way he shuffled his bowlers during the ongoing fourth and final cricket Test here.

Former captain Chappell and Clarke, who led Australia in the first Test but later ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury, said while commentating that they were surprised by Kohli's certain field placements and change of bowlers on the opening day of the final Test here.

Just after tea on the first day yesterday, the three seamers -- Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar --- were called on for one-over spells from the Paddington end as spinner Ravichandran Ashwin held up the other.

Chappell said giving just one over to a bowler exposed Kohli's impatience, as India were struggling to get Australian wickets.

"It sent out a message of impatience to the bowlers. And I think that contributed to the bad bowling. But I don't understand this sort of impatience; one-over spells, that's not giving the bowler a chance at all," Chappell was quoted as saying in 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

Clarke also seemed to be baffled by Kohli's tactics.

"I don't think I have a reason to give you why Virat has done that. I think in the shorter form of the game, T20 cricket, the one-over spells can work so a batter doesn't get too used to a particular bowler," he said. "But in a Test match I don't know the exact reason...Maybe it was to try something different to get a breakthrough."