“For the first 20 balls, forget about your favorite shot” - Former India keeper’s advice to Virat Kohli amid his string of failures in BGT 2024-25
Virat Kohli once again failed to get going, after being dismissed for just three runs off 16 deliveries in India's first innings in the ongoing third Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test at The Gabba.
While his poor run of form is a cause for concern, what is more concerning is the mode of his dismissals. Virat Kohli was sent back by Josh Hazlewood as he edged one behind, once again caught chasing the ball outside the off-stump.
Kohli's manner of getting out, where he goes after the ball outside the off-stump to play the cover drive, which is among his favorite shots, has once again subjected him to criticism.
Barring the century in Perth, Virat Kohli has not been consistent and is going through a lean patch yet again. In such a scenario, former Indian wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta advised Kohli to forget his favorite shot at the beginning of his innings.
"For the first 20 balls, forget about your favorite shot. Forget the cover drive that your fans love. Just put it aside for those 20 balls," Deep Dasgupta said on his appearance on Star Sports.
Deep Dasgupta stated that Kohli getting dismissed repeatedly chasing the ball outside the off-stump is more of a mental issue than a technical one.
The former Indian cricketer stated that a player like Virat Kohli does not have to prove anything to anyone at this stage in his career and should focus on reducing the boundaries he has set for himself.
"As a player of your stature, it's important to sometimes play within your boundaries. Everyone knows what you’re capable of—you’ve already proven your greatness over the last 10-15 years. There’s nothing left to prove. But occasionally, you need to focus on staying within your limits. Once you find your rhythm, you can gradually expand those limits," he added.
Virat Kohli's poor form a concern as India in trouble once again
Aside from the century in Perth, Virat Kohli has struggled to score consistently in this series so far. He scored just 7 and 11 in both innings of the Adelaide Test respectively.
In India's first innings in Brisbane, he got out for just three runs as the visitors ended the day on 51/4 after the hosts scored 445 runs first up. India lost the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Kohli, and Pant cheaply as the batting woes continued for the visitors Down Under.