Virat Kohli’s Struggles at the Crease: Analyzing His Recent Dismissals

Virat Kohli’s recent performances in Pune and Bengaluru have raised concerns among fans and analysts alike. His dismissal in the first innings in Pune was surprising, but it was the leg before wicket (LBW) in the second innings that will likely haunt him more. The first dismissal was simply a misjudgment, something even great batsmen experience. However, the second dismissal revealed a slight decline in his reflexes.

Despite being a dedicated sportsman, Kohli’s recent form raises alarms, reminiscent of Sachin Tendulkar’s final years.

Let’s break down his dismissals. Mitchell Santner bowled from wide of the crease, and as the ball dropped, Kohli felt he should play it off his hips. On a less worn pitch, he could have defended or played it to the onside. However, the unpredictable bounce made him hesitate, and the ball skidded low, just as Santner intended. Kohli’s strong wrists used to send such balls to the boundary easily. Now, missing that shot can lead to self-doubt, especially when runs are hard to come by.

Since his last Test hundred against West Indies last year, Kohli has averaged only 32.63 in 12 innings. His two hundreds in that time stand out like unexpected rain in a drought.

Kohli’s frustration likely stems not just from the LBW call but from the failure of a shot that used to be reliable. This isn’t the first time; in Bengaluru, he edged a ball from Glenn Phillips after starting to regain his form. He also reacted late to a delivery from Will O’Rourke that bounced unexpectedly. In all these instances, Kohli read the ball’s length correctly but couldn’t adjust quickly enough to its movement.

Even great players are not immune to the effects of time. Tendulkar faced a similar situation late in his career. He played beautifully, looking ready for more hundreds, yet made mistakes on familiar shots. In his tours after the 2011 World Cup, he often got out to balls he used to handle with ease. His record of nine half-centuries in his last 39 innings tells a poignant story.

Kohli, now 35, finds himself in a similar twilight phase. He’s past his prime but still capable of brilliance. There are more hundreds to be scored, and battles to be won. It’s a challenging time when a player struggles to accept aging. Kohli still wishes to contribute at his previous level but grapples with the reality of his current form. Perhaps, achieving just one hundred could change everything.

Kohli’s struggles come at a crucial time, just before a tour to Australia, where he has enjoyed significant success. This tour could be critical, as his vulnerabilities may be exploited by opponents. Tendulkar also had remarkable success in his early tours to Australia, but faced challenges in his last one. Kohli wouldn’t want to disappoint a country that has both admired and criticized him.

Kohli’s recent phase of struggle won’t tarnish his legacy. He will remain one of India’s finest batsmen and captains. His presence at Test matches still draws crowds, even when he isn’t scoring. Yet, runs, hundreds, and the reliability of his own strengths are increasingly elusive.

Recent Dismissals:

1. LBW by Mitchell Santner (2nd innings, Pune): Kohli usually would have easily worked the ball to the onside, but he missed. The ball wasn’t particularly fast for a spinner, just 88.3 kph. However, Kohli’s bat arrived late.
2. Caught by Tom Blundell off Glenn Phillips (2nd innings, Bengaluru): Kohli was batting beautifully with 70 off 101 balls when he edged a non-turning ball to the keeper. It was quick at 101 kph but should not have troubled him.
3. Bowled by Shakib Al Hasan (1st innings, Kanpur): Kohli attempted a slog-sweep, a shot he uses effectively in shorter formats. The ball kept low and snuck through his shot, crashing into the stumps.