Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has made an interesting observation about Virat Kohli’s batting technique, particularly his shot selection. Pathan, who has always been known for his sharp insights into the game, pointed out that Kohli’s batting style heavily relies on a limited range of shots, primarily his front-foot drives and cover shots on the offside. According to Pathan, this limited shot selection could be a potential drawback for Kohli, especially against a strong and varied bowling attack like Australia’s.
Pathan went on to compare Kohli’s batting style with that of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, highlighting how Tendulkar had a broader range of shots at his disposal. Pathan emphasized that while Tendulkar’s cover drive was iconic, he could also effortlessly play shots like the square cut, cut shot, and uppercut, which helped him score runs all around the ground. These shots, according to Pathan, made Tendulkar less predictable and allowed him to excel in different match situations, especially when facing deliveries outside the off-stump.
On the other hand, Pathan feels that although Kohli possesses these shots in his arsenal, he doesn’t use them frequently. Instead, Kohli has relied more on his front-foot play and off-side driving. This heavy reliance on the cover drive and front-foot shots has sometimes led to his downfall, especially in tricky conditions or against bowlers who have found a way to get him out early, particularly with deliveries outside the off-stump. Kohli’s recent dismissal against Australia in the ongoing Test series is a case in point. He edged a delivery from Australian pacer Scott Boland to the slip cordon, falling for a golden duck, a dismissal that has become a bit of a pattern for Kohli in recent matches.
Pathan’s comments reflect a growing concern that Kohli’s batting, while still among the best in the world, could benefit from a more varied approach. In the high-paced environment of Test cricket, the ability to handle all types of deliveries with a broader range of shots can make a significant difference. Pathan believes that Kohli needs to incorporate these extra shots more often to counter the challenges posed by the opposition.
As the series progresses, Kohli will likely continue to analyze and adapt his technique to meet these challenges. His ability to add these varied shots to his batting repertoire could be key to overcoming his recent struggles and maintaining his position among the elite players in world cricket.