Virat Kohli criticised, Ravi Shastri's request and more - Cricket News Today, 14th September 2018

India's tour of England might be over but already the next major tournament is almost upon us. Even as the Asia Cup 2018 begins on Saturday (September 15), former Chief selector Sandeep Patil is not happy with Virat Kohli being rested for the Asia Cup. He wrote as much in his column.

Not only the Indian captain but the coach made headlines as well by saying that India are keen on playing at least a couple of warm-up matches ahead of the Test series against Australia later this year. And a legendary West Indies pacer paid the Indian pace attack, the ultimate compliment.

Here are all of today's important developments from the cricket world.

Sandeep Patil questions Kohli's decision to skip Asia Cup

Although the Asia Cup was less than a week after the conclusion of a gruelling tour of England, BCCI certainly took everyone by surprise when they announced Virat Kohli will be rested for the tournament. That decision hasn't gone down too well with everyone and former Indian international and BCCI Chief Selector Sandeep Patil has questioned Kohli's decision to skip the tournament.

In his column for The Quint, Sandeep Patil wondered whether the timing was right, especially when it came to resting India's premier and in-form batsman.

"The decision to give rest to Virat Kohli has already been taken but the question is whether selectors could have delayed it by picking Virat for the Asia Cup and giving him rest instead during the home series against West Indies that will follow," he wrote.

Before adding that he doesn't blame Kohli for the decision but wondered whether the timing could have been better.

"I don’t blame Virat Kohli but my question again is that there are thirty plus players under contract for the BCCI and all of them play equal number of matches and share equal amount of workload, then why single out Virat Kohli? If you were to ask whether winning a series against West Indies or the Asia Cup title –which would bring more honor and joy to our players, BCCI and sports lovers, the answer is very simple – an Asia Cup victory. And that too when a team like Pakistan is involved."

Ravi Shastri wants warm-up matches ahead of Australia tour

He also added that he has already put in a request with the BCCI about the same

Many bemoaned India's lack of preparation ahead of a crucial Test series against England. Ahead of the final Test, Indian captain, Virat Kohli admitted that playing warm-up matches against weak opponents is of no use. But Indian coach Ravi Shastri admits that he has requested for a couple of warm-up games in Australia before the start of the Test series later this year.

"If you have two or three games against weaker sides we don't mind because it is a game. But when you have a schedule as tight as this and when you have a memorandum of understanding that has already been formulated, with a choc-a-bloc calendar, there is very little you can do. Now, we have requested for a couple of [warm-up] games in Australia before the Test series," he told Cricinfo.

When asked about whether he was against warm-up matches, he said: "Absolutely not. Why would we be? You can only see the results. Every time after the second Test we have improved. You can still get better. But why can't we be in that position in the first Test match?"

Michael Holding pays a huge compliment

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day Four

They always say that bowlers need to pick up 20 wickets in a Test if you are to win games, whether it is home or away. India's bowlers managed to do that on almost every occasion against England in the Test series and that has impressed former West Indies fast bowler, Michael Holding. He has gone onto call India's pace attack during the England series as their best ever.

“This is an outstanding Indian pace attack. You know, everyone has said this is the best bowling attack, not just the pace attack, they have seen India have. I can go beyond, to the early 1970s, and certainly, this is the best bowling attack India have had,” he told Hindustan Times.

He also said that their variety makes them incredibly difficult to get away.

“They are all different – different heights, different skills. Bumrah bowled from pretty wide of the crease, Shami gets a lot closer. Shami is not as tall as the others, they can complement each other and bring different skills.”