Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has opened up on Virat Kohli's recent struggles with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Karthik admitted that Kohli is having problems with balls outside the off-stump but also claimed that the India star is trying to fight it.
Virat Kohli is going through one of the toughest phases of his career right now. The veteran struggled for runs as the Australian bowlers constantly threatened to bowl at his fourth and fifth stump.
Almost all of Kohli's dismissals in this series have been in identical fashion with the ball moving wide to take the outside edge to be caught behind the wicket. The 36-year-old struggled to spend time at the crease as he spotted the vulnerable Australian bowlers.
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“He is a fighter” – Dinesh Karthik on Virat Kohli
During a segment on Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik was asked about Virat Kohli's thought process during this poor period of performance and the things he does wrong. Karthik claimed that Kohli is a fighter and will not sit quietly.
He cited the example of the Gabba Test when the Indian star headed straight to the net after being sent off cheaply. Karthik believes Kohli wants to get into that rhythm quickly so that he can play a long innings.
“He (Virat Kohli) is a fighter. Even after getting out at the Gabba, the only thing he did was go to the nets and try to get the rhythm back. He wants to put himself in a certain area to do it. Well, that's what he's looking to do,” Karthik said. “With it.”
“He won't give up. He's not one of those characters who'll say, 'Oh!' “He won't come. He'll fight it, he'll do everything possible, and that's the kind of man he is.” He added.
How can #Kohli Addressing his external problems outside the trunk❓@dineshkarthik Answers, on #HeyCB#Australia pic.twitter.com/sCM6ykwfnv
-CreekBoss (@CreekBoss) December 23, 2024
Dinesh Karthik talks about Virat Kohli's thought process
While talking about his weakness outside the off-stump, Dinesh Karthik revealed Virat Kohli's thought process and how he can get into the zone where he can achieve success again.
“He knows that the main area the Australians have targeted him in this series is around the fourth and fifth off stump. How will he be able to get to that ball where he thinks he can leave the ball if need be and play a shot if need be.” Karthik explained that this is the only area he wants to enter now.
Virat Kohli has been dismissed in five of the six innings he has played so far. The 36-year-old batsman has been outside his boundary on all five occasions. The bowlers have zeroed in on a particular plan that has been very successful against Kohli so far.
Virat Kohli's BGT numbers 2024-25
Virat Kohli has scored 126 runs in five innings of the ongoing Test series at an average of 31.50. He scored a brilliant hundred in the second innings of the Perth Test and appears to have regained his touch.
However, his bat has been silent since then and he has been struggling to stay in the crease for long. The Test conditions and Australia's top-class bowling attack did not help Kohli's cause either.
Kohli has had a bad time with the bat since the start of the home Test season in India in September this year. He scored 192 runs in five Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand at an average of just 21.33. His poor form continued in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well.
