IndiaHis batting line-up has faltered in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the team trailing 2-1 heading into the Sydney Test. Senior bangs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been criticized for their poor performances. Kohli, a proven player in Australian conditions, has scored just 1519 runs at an average of 49 in 17 matches Down Under. However, this series has seen him struggle to replicate his past glories.
Adding to Kohli’s woes are his on-field controversies. A heated incident with Sam Konstas at the MCG cost him a 20% match fee fine and demerit point. These incidents, combined with his sluggish hitting, have brought him under intense scrutiny.
Finch’s outlook: Does Kohli thrive in adversity?
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch has provided a unique perspective on Kohli’s behavior. Speaking on ESPN’s ‘Around the Wicket’ podcast, Finch suggested that Kohli’s confrontational behavior may be a deliberate tactic.
“Virat is someone who has always thrived under pressure and when his back is against the wall. It just feels like he’s trying to put his own back against the wall. He tries to be competitive, almost trying to pick a match because that’s when he plays at his best,” Finch observed.
Finch went on to say that Kohli’s attempts to create tension could be an attempt to reignite his competitive edge. “He just feels like he’s pushing other people to make him feel that way. We are yet to see the best of him in this series,” he added.
Irfan Pathan urges Rohit Sharma to fight back amid matches
Excessive numbers in a difficult year
Kohli’s recent test performances paint a bleak picture. In 2023, he scored only 417 runs at an average of 24.52. His contributions in the current cycle of the World Test Championship have also been impressive, with 728 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 34.66, including just two centuries.
Despite a promising start in the first innings in Melbourne, where Kohli seemed to be in control, Australia’s disciplined bowling attack kept finding ways to dismiss him. Finch acknowledged this, noting: “He looked beautiful in the first innings in Melbourne and it looked like he wasn’t going to go away. But Australia bowled well.”
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