Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar spoke about Virat Kohli's constant struggles with off-stump deliveries during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia.
Kohli has been struggling for survival in the ongoing five-match Test series against Australia, with just one score of 50-plus scores so far, and that was an unbeaten century in the first Test in Perth.
However, Virat Kohli's form has declined since then, and the recent Boxing Day Test at the MCG once again exposed his vulnerability to off-stump deliveries. Kohli scored just 36 and 5 in the two innings, falling to deliveries outside off stump in both innings at the MCG.
Sunil Gavaskar highlights Virai Kohli's struggles after Boxing Day Test failure
The recurring problem of balls being cleared to fielders or wicket-keepers has troubled Kohli over the past four years and has now become a major concern for Team India, which suffered a 184-run defeat in the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (MCG) on December 29.
After the Boxing Day Test, Sunil Gavaskar analyzed Virat Kohli's struggles and technique, pointing out what went wrong and offering insights on how to overcome this persistent flaw. He has pointed out that Virat's footwork is a major issue that bothers him.
According to the former Indian captain, the right-handed batting icon's front foot runs straight down the pitch instead of moving towards the ball, which limits his ability to connect with the middle of the bat and forces him to reach for deliveries, also leading to his dismissal.
India Today quoted Sunil Gavaskar as saying: “(Kohli’s) foot will not go to the ball field; The foot runs straight down the field, not toward the ball. If the foot turns towards the ball more, you have more chances to hit the ball from the middle. Since the foot isn't moving, you end up getting to the ball, and that's what was happening.
Meanwhile, the legendary Indian batsman has criticized India's top order for their repeated failures in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, barring Yashasvi Jaiswal. He blamed India's top order for India trailing 1-2 after the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne.
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Gavaskar emphasized that the lower order cannot be blamed for their lack of contributions when the top order falters. He pointed out, “It all depends on the selectors.” The contributions that were expected did not come. It is the higher order that must contribute; If the higher order doesn't contribute, why blame the lower order?
India found themselves in this position because of the top man: Sunil Gavaskar
Moreover, Sunil Gavaskar highlighted that senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had the crucial responsibility of batting during the fifth day during India's tough chase at the MCG to keep the series alive for the New Year's Test, but they failed to deliver, and the team faced a crushing defeat.
“The seniors did not really make the contribution they should have made,” Gavaskar concluded. All they had to do was come out today and live to fight another day in Sydney. It's just that the top officials did not contribute, which is why India finds itself in this situation.
