In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, the Australian bowlers have dominated Virat Kohli, dismissing the renowned batsman cheaply in three of his four innings thus far. Deliveries along the off-stump line are a well-known weakness of Kohli, and Pat Cummins and company have taken advantage of this.
Mohammad Kaif, a former cricket player for India, wants the Indian bowlers to emulate Australia and target Travis Head, who likewise feels uneasy when faced with deliveries outside the off-stump. The former cricket player who is now a broadcaster pointed out that Scott Boland, who doesn’t often play for Australia, is also aware of Kohli’s struggles against balls outside the off-stump.
“Kamzori log pakad ke rakhe huye hai, virat Kohli ki. Off-stump ke bahar ball dalo, wahan out honge (People are aware of and cling to Virat Kohli’s vulnerability).
“He’ll get out there if you bowl outside the off-stump,” Kaif stated in a video that was uploaded to his personal ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) account.
Even Scott Boland, who only plays two or three Test matches a year, is aware of the precise location of the bowling position for Kohli. You can be sure that Kohli will make a mistake near the off stump and toss a catch to the slip cordon or wicketkeeper. So why, with careful planning, aren’t the Indian bowlers able to consistently attack Travis Head’s weakness? Why are we unable to identify Head’s vulnerability and continue to bowl short balls or outside the off-stump? “Why can’t we properly plan against Travis Head and trap him? Every batter has weaknesses.” Kaif continued.
In the opening innings of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, Head scored a game-winning 140 off just 141 balls to help the World Test Champions tie the series. In the meantime, Kohli has only scored 23 runs from three appearances in the current five-match series, aside from his undefeated century in the second innings in Perth. On Saturday, December 14, the third Test begins at Brisbane’s iconic Gabba.
India
