Former India keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik believes Virat Kohli is overthinking his weakness against deliveries outside off stump, which is negatively affecting his performance. Karthik suggests that Kohli’s focus on leaving those balls is tricking his mind and clouding his judgment.
Kohli was dismissed for three off 16 balls in India’s first innings on Day 3 of the third Test against Australia in Brisbane on December 16. He fell to a familiar dismissal, edging a wide delivery outside off stump from Josh Hazlewood.
Discussing Kohli’s dismissal on Cricbuzz, Karthik stated that Kohli’s struggles outside off stump hinder his ability to make clear decisions about his shots. He further explained:
“So, he is saying, ‘I don’t want to play anything outside the off stump. I want to leave it’. But he is so tuned to doing it and he is thinking about it so much through the day and in the night that, eventually, the moment it is thrown out there, I think his body reacts in such a way that his hands go hard at the ball. And that’s what inducing the edge.”
The 39-year-old said, “Virat knows he shouldn’t be playing outside the off stump, but when he’s in the middle, the mind plays tricks. Despite his efforts, his perception draws him to the ball as soon as it’s released, which is affecting his performance.”
Josh Hazlewood gets Virat Kohli!
The Australians are up and about on Day Three. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/sq6oYZmZAz
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2024
India are in trouble in the Brisbane Test, affected by rain. Chasing Australia’s 445, they ended the day at 51-4 after 17 overs. Apart from Kohli, Jaiswal (4), Gill (1), and Pant (9) were dismissed. At stumps, Rahul was on 33 and Rohit Sharma had not scored.
Virat Kohli’s poor form is a significant worry for India
Across five innings in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli has managed 126 runs at an average of 31.50. The 36-year-old was out for five in the first innings of the Perth Test but made a strong comeback with an unbeaten 100 in the second innings.
Since his century, the seasoned Indian batter has posted scores of 7, 11, and 3. In total, for 2024, he has accumulated 376 runs from 17 Test innings, with an average of 25.06, including one century and one half-century.
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