The great batsman Virat Kohli has fallen short of his high expectations, making his comeback to the Test arena unmemorable. On Friday, October 25, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, the right-handed batsman was dismissed for just one run on Day 2 of the second Test match between India and New Zealand. Anil Kumble believed that he would have benefited from playing domestic cricket before the demanding Test season.
Following the fall of Shubman Gill‘s wicket in the opening session, Kohli was confident right away. But the spinners from New Zealand bowled close and put his defensive style to the test. After witnessing Mitchell Santner’s flighted delivery, the Delhi hitter attempted to escape the shackles, but he played down the incorrect line and missed the ball as it crashed in the stumps.
“Perhaps a match situation involving just one or two innings could have been beneficial. Having an advantage in a real game is undoubtedly more advantageous than merely practicing. Perhaps it would have benefited him to play sooner if he believes so and the team management concurs. Yet, I don’t believe that’s the only explanation for his difficulties with spin,” Kumble stated on Sports18.
Spin has frequently been preferred by the pitches when Virat Kohli has reached the crease: Anil Kumble
According to Kumble, it is not always simple for Kohli to bat in Indian conditions because the spinners typically have their tails up with the help of the surfaces. Santner was coming in with the angle on some occasions, but on others, he was turning the ball square.
“One important element is that the pitches have frequently favoured spin when he has reached the crease. He has struggled against spin early in his innings, not only because of his mentality but also because of circumstances that have favoured spinners. This helped Glenn Phillips, who was brought on as a deliberate move, dismiss Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in favour of his left-arm spin. These scenarios are difficult for even the finest hitters in the modern era,” Kumble said.
The way that Kohli has performed against spin bowlers lately has been concerning. He’s only managed 606 runs at an average of 28.85 and a strike rate of 49.67 in 26 innings played throughout Asia since 2021. His problems fighting the tweakers are validated by the fact that he was dismissed 21 times.
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Due to Kohli’s poor performance at home, India’s batting problems persisted in the second Test, as the team was bowled out for 156, giving New Zealand a 103-run advantage in the first innings.
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