Virat Kohli encountered another failure as he got dismissed for only five runs in the first Test of the five-match series against Australia in Perth.
Virat Kohli’s prolonged struggle with the bat in Test cricket continues, as his much-anticipated performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy began on a disappointing note. Kohli was dismissed for just 5 runs during the first innings of the opening Test against Australia in Perth. A short delivery from Josh Hazlewood climbed onto Kohli’s bat shoulder, resulting in an easy catch in the slip cordon.
Kohli’s form in the longer format has been a concern for quite some time. Former Indian cricketer and analyst Sanjay Manjrekar, speaking on ESPNcricinfo, shed light on a potential new chink in Kohli’s armour.
“It’s something I’ve said before as well, post-[2023] Virat Kohli has been very concerned about that ball pitched up, Jimmy Anderson kind, outside the off stump,” Manjrekar observed. “So he stands outside the batting crease, wants to get on to the front foot to nullify the swing. But now bowlers are bowling shorter to him because of that.”
WATCH: Virat Kohli undone by extra bounce from Josh Hazlewood, falls cheaply in Perth Test
Hazlewood’s strategy highlighted this adjustment, showing how bowlers are exploiting Kohli’s premeditated approach.
Manjrekar added, “Josh Hazlewood was generally fuller, 60% of balls in the full area, but the moment Virat Kohli started doing this, he went a little short.”
The Perth dismissal was not an isolated incident. Kohli’s recent poor record against New Zealand also exposed his vulnerability to the short ball.
Manjrekar recalled an earlier example: “We saw that in the Bangalore Test match, New Zealand bowlers doing that and Virat Kohli getting out on the leg side,” referring to his dismissal against Will O’Rourke.
While crediting Hazlewood for his precision, Manjrekar stressed upon Kohli’s technical flaw.
“So basically, he’s put all his eggs in one basket, which is about not getting out on the front foot to that swinging full-length ball. But that’s now making him a little vulnerable to all other deliveries, especially the one that is shorter,” he concluded.
Also Read: Virat Kohli’s Shocking Drop Catch: Marnus Labuschagne Given a Lifeline in the Perth Test [WATCH]
India, despite Kohli’s early exit, showed tremendous fighting spirit in the match. Although bowled out for a mere 150, Jasprit Bumrah’s sensational opening spell brought the team back into the contest, setting the stage for a thrilling Test. Australia finished Day 1 on 67/7, trailing by 83 runs.
Kohli’s form will remain under scrutiny as India looks to maintain momentum in the series. For the cricketing world, the big question persists: can the Indian great overcome this technical setback and return to his match-winning best? Only time will tell.
