Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has expressed concerns over Virat Kohli’s recent performances during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, describing his dismissals as “very un-Kohli-like.”
Kohli, renowned for his technical prowess and consistency, amassed only 190 runs across five Tests in the series. Despite a promising start with an unbeaten century in the opening Test at Perth, his form declined, with repeated dismissals outside the off-stump. This pattern has raised questions about a potential technical flaw that has persisted over the past few years.
Lee, analyzing Kohli’s performance, noted, “For me, it was very un-Kohli-like… Unfortunately for him, he kept getting out the same way through the whole Test series.”
He further emphasized that the Australian bowlers had meticulously planned their approach to Kohli, effectively exploiting his vulnerabilities. “I also think Australia had a very valid bowling plan to him, they researched him very, very well,” Lee added.
Despite these challenges, Lee defended Kohli’s mental preparedness, stating, “I was watching Kohli very, very closely throughout the whole series and to me, he looked very engaged… But unfortunately for Kohli, he couldn’t get those runs.”
Kohli’s recent struggles have sparked discussions about his future in Test cricket. Some experts suggest that both Kohli and Rohit Sharma should consider stepping aside to allow emerging talents to prepare for the next World Test Championship cycle. However, others argue that Kohli’s experience remains invaluable, and he should be given the opportunity to regain his form.
As the cricketing world anticipates India’s upcoming series, all eyes will be on Kohli to see if he can address these technical issues and return to his dominant form. His ability to adapt and overcome this challenging phase will be crucial for both his career and the Indian Test team’s success.