Unfair to say India are dependent on Kohli: Sangakkara

Former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara feels it is unfair to label India as over-dependent on Virat Kohli and attributes the team's debacle in the first two Tests against England to lack of preparation.

England won the first two of the five Tests in Birmingham and Lord's, with a worrying point about India's batting being that Kohli was the only batsman to score any runs.

"It is almost unfair to the other batsmen because we have seen Virat batting like he has for the last few years. It is incredible to watch and he is an incredible performer, but others are also fantastic players," Sangakkar told PTI in an interview.

"Pujara and Rahane are absolutely great batsmen Pujara averages 50 in Test cricket, Rahane averages 50 overses. Then, there are others. KL Rahul looks brilliant (when in form), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik these are no insignificant names."
"English bowlers have exploited the usual sub-continental weaknesses here and that has created more questions than answers for the Indian side."
"The England batsmen regrouped really well after initial breakthroughs. Again in this innings the English bowlers showing that they know the conditions and how they can make an impact with the swinging ball."
"They made a decision based on an having an extra fact bowler there, and having said that, fast bowlers usually do most of the damage at Lord's. So they should have stuck with more or less the same team, or bowling attack (by bringing in Pujara for Dhawan). Hardik Pandya played, but they could have played an extra batsman and an extra pacer instead if they wanted to."
"Some times changing and chopping is not a negative thing, and sometimes it can be a negative thing. But a change always has to be tactical (not for the heck of it)."
When asked pertinently if too many changes in the team's batting core since the tour of South Africa had an adverse effect, the legend replied, "In fact, it is more a question for players themselves, and if the Indian team can have a chat in the dressing room about it."
The Sky Cricket commentator added, "If it is bothering them, then be open about it talk to the captain, the coach and the management. Ask them, 'can we have a little more consistency because this is bothering us'. But if they have bought into it (changing and chopping) and are fine with it, then it's a different question."