IND vs AUS, Virat Kohli’s Dismissals in BGT 2024-25:
Is Virat Kohli feeling the pressure against off-stump deliveries? Regarded as the master of the cover drive, Kohli has turned inexplicably ‘vulnerable’ against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). But don’t take our word for it; Kohli’s performance stats themselves convey this story. During this series, Kohli fell prey seven times to deliveries aimed outside the off-stump—a pattern that’s hard to ignore.
On Day 1 of the Sydney Test, Kohli appeared brimming with confidence. His stance was slightly side-on, and he seemed unyielding after an early life when Australia dropped his catch. Displaying caution, he settled on 17 runs off 68 balls. However, the 69th ball rekindled an old flaw—Kohli succumbed yet again to an off-stump delivery... and walked back to the pavilion.
The bowler Boland became the fourth to snare the illustrious Kohli. This was also the seventh instance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy where an outside edge cost Kohli his wicket, after offering a catch to Australia’s debutant Beau Webster in the slips.
Kohli’s dismissals in this series underscore a glaring need for reflection. He could take lessons from his cricket idol Sachin Tendulkar, who famously refrained from playing the cover drive during a remarkable innings in the 2003-04 Sidney Test. Tendulkar, facing similar off-stump troubles, adapted and notched an undefeated 241-run innings without his trademark cover drive, a move that perhaps holds lessons for Kohli.
VIDEO: How Kohli Got Out Pre-Sydney Test
Kohli’s Missteps in BGT Are Alarmingly Consistent...
1: Kohli’s misadventures with off-stump deliveries began in Perth. He succumbed to Josh Hazlewood, escaping Usman Khawaja in the slips. However, he struck an unbeaten century in the same Test’s latter innings.
2: Adelaide Test, first innings – Kohli showed indecision against off-stump deliveries. Eventually, he edged one to Marnus Labuschagne in the slips off Mitchell Starc, for a mere seven runs.
3: In Adelaide’s second innings, Kohli started well but fell to Scott Boland, caught behind by Alex Carey.
4: Brisbane Test – Kohli’s struggles persisted, as he edged to Carey once more. Hazlewood claimed his wicket again. Rain interrupted the second innings preventing further play.
5: In the Melbourne Test, first innings, Kohli was caught behind off Boland for 36 runs, perpetuating the pattern.
6: In Melbourne Test’s second innings, he chased another wide Starc delivery, with Khawaja making no mistake in the slips.
7: Sydney Test – Kohli edged to debutant Beau Webster in the slips, once again following an outside off-stump delivery.
Source: aajtak
Kohli’s Missed Opportunity for a Lifeline
In the Sydney Test, Kohli was initially given out after Steve Smith appeared to catch him in the slips. But third umpire analysis overturned the decision, showing Smith’s catch wasn’t clean, which provided Kohli another chance. During lunch, Smith maintained that he had caught the ball before it touched the ground, but replays told a different story. Marnus Labuschagne, standing nearby, ended up catching it on the rebound. A skilled team effort almost sent Kohli back without scoring, but this time the third umpire’s intervention saved him.
