Despite his formidable reputation as one of the best batsmen in the world, Indian captain Virat Kohli once again fell victim to a ball outside off-stump, leading to his early exit in the last Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. This marks an underwhelming end to Kohli's series, with only one century scored and a recurring weakness against this type of delivery. To add to his frustration, the Australian bowler Scott Boland had openly discussed their tactic for Kohli in a press conference just the day before.
Indian captain Virat Kohli's dismissal in the final Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia has once again exposed his vulnerability to balls outside off-stump.
Kohli, widely regarded as one of the finest batsmen in the world, was dismissed for just 12 runs by Australian bowler Scott Boland. The delivery was a classic outswinger that caught Kohli's edge and flew to the wicket-keeper.
This dismissal marked an underwhelming end to Kohli's series, in which he scored just one century and struggled to consistently make big scores. It also continued a worrying trend for Kohli, who has been dismissed repeatedly by balls outside off-stump in recent years.
To add to Kohli's frustration, Boland had openly discussed Australia's tactic for dismissing him in a press conference just the day before.
"We know that Kohli likes to play the ball on the up," Boland said. "So we're going to try to bowl him fuller and wider, and make him drive at balls that he's not used to."
Boland's plan worked perfectly, as Kohli attempted to drive the ball through the off-side but instead edged it to the wicket-keeper.
FAQs
1. Why is Kohli struggling against balls outside off-stump?
Kohli has a tendency to drive the ball on the up, which makes him vulnerable to deliveries that are pitched outside off-stump and swing away from him.
2. What can Kohli do to improve his weakness against this type of delivery?
Kohli needs to be more patient and wait for the ball to come to him. He also needs to improve his technique so that he can drive the ball straight, rather than across the line.
3. How did Boland's comments affect Kohli?
Boland's comments may have put extra pressure on Kohli, and he may have been trying too hard to prove that he could overcome this weakness.
4. What have been the consequences of Kohli's struggles against Boland?
Kohli's struggles have led to him being dismissed cheaply several times in recent years, and it has also affected India's team performance.
5. What does the future hold for Kohli?
Kohli is still a great batsman, but he needs to address this weakness if he wants to continue to be one of the best in the world.
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