Sanjay Manjrekar has identified main flaw in Virat Kohli’s batting method.© AFP
Star batter Virat Kohli flopped with the bat within the 1st innings of the continued 1st Check in opposition to Australia in Perth. Regardless of a stellar file in Australia, the previous India captain lasted simply 12 balls earlier than keeping off a climbing Hazlewood supply that took an edge to Usman Khawaja at slip. As Kohli’s barren patch continued, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar identified main flaw within the star batter’s method. He feels Kohli has been struggling in opposition to the shorter supply of late.
“It’s something I’ve said before as well, post [2023] Virat Kohli has been very concerned about that ball pitched up, Jimmy Anderson kind, outside the off stump. So he stands outside the batting crease, wants to get on to the front foot to nullify the swing. But now bowlers are bowling shorter to him because of that,” Manjrekar instructed ESPNcricinfo.
Manjrekar additionally recalled Kohli’s struggles within the latest dwelling sequence in opposition to New Zealand, the place he managed simply 93 runs throughout six innings. The cricketer-turned-commentator pinpointed that opposition bowlers are attempting to focus on Kohli’s physique by bowling him quick deliveries on the leg facet.
“We saw that in the Bangalore Test match, New Zealand bowlers doing that and Virat Kohli getting out on the leg side. Josh Hazlewood was generally fuller, 60% of balls in the full area, but the moment Virat Kohli started doing this, he went a little short,” he added.
Manjrekar urged that Kohli’s premeditated front-foot method makes him a bit weak, particularly in Australia the place the tempo and bounce will make his case solely worse.
“So basically he’s put all his eggs in one basket, Kohli, which is about not getting out on the front foot, to that swinging full length ball. But that’s now making him a little vulnerable to all other deliveries, especially the one that is shorter,” Manjrekar additional defined.
Matters talked about on this article
