Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar voiced his disappointment over Virat Kohli’s dismissal on Day 3 of the Brisbane Test against Australia. Kohli, who fell for just three runs to Josh Hazlewood, edged a fuller-length delivery outside off-stump—a mode of dismissal that has increasingly troubled the Indian stalwart in recent times. Speaking to Star Sports, Bangar remarked that Kohli’s dismissal was avoidable, particularly given his prematch preparations.
What did Sanjay Bangar say about Virat Kohli?
“The last three dismissals could be credited to the bowlers, but this one he would be particularly disappointed with. It was a rank wide-ish half-volley that he could have easily let go,” Bangar said. The delivery, well outside off stump, tempted Kohli into an expansive drive, only for him to nick it to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Kohli’s dismissal was especially concerning as it came despite visible efforts during practice sessions to address this very weakness. Bangar observed that Kohli had focused on leaving deliveries outside the off-stump in the nets but faltered in execution during the game. “He wanted to leave a lot of balls outside off-stump, but this lapse in judgement cost him,” Bangar added. “So he would be clearly disappointed with that error in his shot making that was clearly there. These are the balls which any battter would want to hit in the early part of the innings. He looked to defend, but apart from that, this particular dismissal there was a rank wide-ish half-volley, he could have easily let that go in the early part of his innings.“
Kohli’s dismissal compounded India’s troubles after early strikes from Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood left the team reeling at 48/4. Rain interruptions provided a temporary reprieve, but India face a daunting task to steady the ship, chasing Australia’s imposing first-innings total of 445.
