Sunil Gavaskar slams Virat Kohli for his impatience and poor shot selection, highlighting his ongoing struggle with chasing wide deliveries outside the off stump.
December 16, 2024: India’s star batter Virat Kohli came under fire yet again after falling cheaply in the first innings of the third Test against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane. Kohli chased a wide delivery from Josh Hazlewood, attempting an expansive drive outside his off stump, only to edge it to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
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The shot, deemed reckless, sparked harsh criticism from former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who lambasted Kohli’s lack of discipline. Speaking on Channel 7, Gavaskar remarked, “If it was on the fourth stump, I could understand. This was wide, on the seventh or eighth stump. There’s no need to play that shot.”
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A Familiar Problem
Hazlewood’s delivery, pitched slightly fuller outside off, could have easily been left alone. Instead, Kohli went fishing well outside his body, resulting in a straightforward catch for Carey. This dismissal marks yet another instance of Kohli struggling with deliveries outside the off stump—an issue that has plagued him throughout his career.
Kohli’s poor shot selection follows a worrying pattern. In the second Test, he also chased wide deliveries, leading to premature dismissals. Several cricket analysts have drawn comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar, who famously avoided cover drives during his double-century in the 2004 Sydney Test, showcasing remarkable discipline.
‘Kohli Needed to Show Patience’
Adding to his critique, Gavaskar highlighted the context of Kohli’s dismissal. India had already lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill to poor shots, leaving the team in a vulnerable position. Gavaskar expressed disappointment, stating, “He’d be very, very disappointed. If Kohli had shown a bit of patience, he could have been not out with KL Rahul.”
Kohli’s wicket fell just before rain interrupted play, leaving India in a precarious spot.
Struggles Despite Recent Form
Kohli’s inconsistency has come under increasing scrutiny. After scoring a century in the second innings of the Perth Test, fans believed the 36-year-old was rediscovering his form. However, his subsequent performances in Adelaide and Brisbane have left much to be desired.
Once the leader in Test centuries among the “Fab Four”—Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root—Kohli now trails behind all three. As of 2024, Root leads with 36 Test centuries, followed by Williamson and Smith (33 each), while Kohli remains at 30.
Fans Demand More Discipline
Kohli’s repeated struggles have led fans and experts alike to call for greater restraint, especially with his tendency to chase deliveries outside the off stump. His latest dismissal only reinforces the need for the star batter to adapt his game if he hopes to regain his standing as one of the world’s premier Test players.
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