Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Virat KohliThe cricketing journey has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but his recent performances, especially in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25they raised their eyebrows. The latest chapter unfolded during the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where Kohli’s persistent struggle with off-stump deliveries came back to haunt him once again. How Scott Boland delivered a trademark ball that exposed Kohli’s frailties, fans were left wondering if it was a case of déjà vu or a deeper problem plaguing one of the best batsmen in cricket today.
Scott Boland looks like Virat Kohli’s familiar tale of woe on Day 1
Kohli’s dismissal for just 17 runs was reminiscent of earlier failures throughout the series. Although he went into the match hoping for a substantial score, he fell victim to Boland’s precision bowling. The Australia Pacer aimed for the corridor outside the off stump, enticing Kohli to push a delivery that clipped slightly. The result was a lead which was captured brilliantly by the debutant Beau Webster at slip, marking another instance where Kohli’s technique failed him under pressure.
This dismissal was particularly painful for Kohli, not only because it reflected earlier failures, but also because of the missed opportunity early in his innings. He had survived a near golden duck when he edged a Boland delivery that was controversially not ruled out after replays showed it had touched the ground before being caught. However, luck would not favor him for long as he succumbed to Boland soon after.
Also WATCH: Shubman Gill exchanges words with Steve Smith before heading out on Day 1 of the Sydney Test
Here is the video:
Virat Kohli’s wicket. 😞#INDvsAUS #AUSWIN #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/mqCMNWMdA3
— Tanveer (@tanveermamdani) January 3, 2025
The weight of expectations on Kohli
The SCG Test was not just another match; it represented a critical moment for both Kohli and the Indian team. With India struggling at 72/4 after losing key players like KL Rahul i Shubman Gillthe role of Kohli as a senior batsman became even more crucial. His inability to convert starts into substantial scores has been a recurring theme, and this latest failure adds to the mounting pressure on him.
Kohli’s struggles against off-stump deliveries have been widely documented, with this being the 22nd time in recent years that he has fallen prey to similar deliveries from fast bowlers. The consistency with which he has been dismissed like this raises questions about his adaptability and his willingness to address this glaring flaw in his game.
As Kohli continues to struggle with these challenges, the Indian team must come together to support their star player. With the lower middle order needing to step up in tough batting conditions, the players like it Rishabh pants i Ravindra Jadeja tried to stabilize the innings but India were eventually bundled out for 185.
