“He has got out twice, so what” - Virat Kohli gets support from Indian legend after failure in BGT 2024-25 2nd Test
India legend Sunil Gavaskar has defended ace batter Virat Kohli after an indecisive poke outside off-stump resulted in his wicket on Day 1 (Friday, December 6) of the second Australia Test in Adelaide. Batting on seven runs, Kohli was late in withdrawing his bat to a length delivery from Mitchell Starc angling across him, leading to an outside edge caught at second slip.
It was a replica of his first-innings dismissal off Josh Hazlewood in the first Test in Perth, resulting in fans and experts questioning Kohli's tendency to be found wanting out-side off-stump.
However, the champion batter found support from Gavaskar, who told JioCinema after play on Day 1 (as quoted by Hindustan Times):
"That's what happened in Perth and again over here. I think it is also because of the high back lift. It is so that you can't bring it down in time and let the ball harmlessly pass. But the man has got more than 9000 Test runs batting with the same technique. He has got out twice, so what?"
He added:
"I would not be too worried. The man has got 30 hundreds. So he knows how to bat. He was not lucky in Perth and also this time around. There's plenty of time to go in this series."
Kohli had been battling poor form coming into the Australian tour, with an average of under 16 in the three-Test home series against New Zealand.
However, he temporarily silenced his critics with a brilliant unbeaten century in the second innings of India's memorable victory in Perth.
"Getting close to the ball is the key for Virat Kohli" - Matthew Hayden
Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden believes Virat Kohli went away from his method of getting close to the ball on the first day in Adelaide, resulting in his tame dismissal.
The 36-year-old has struggled massively in Tests this year despite the Perth century, averaging under 28 in eight outings.
"Batting conditions were tricky here. He was making good decisions in Perth (2nd inns). He was clear about his movement. He got in line with the ball and played it down the ground. This time, he went back to the traditional guard and stayed off side to the ball. When he starts to seam around, it becomes tricky, getting close to the ball is the key for Virat Kohli," Hayden told JioCinema.
Kohli's dismissal led to an Indian collapse as they were bowled out for a sub-par 180 in their first innings.
The hosts further strengthened their grip on the Adelaide Test, racing to 86/1 in response at Stumps on Day 1.