The same old story for Virat Kohli in the IND vs AUS fifth Test at SCG continues as Virat Kohli’s ongoing battle with deliveries outside his off stump turned into the reason for his dismissal once again, as he was dismissed for just six runs off 12 balls. This marked the eighth instance in the series where Kohli fell victim to similar bowling tactics. His early departure left the Indian team in a precarious position and raised further questions about his ability to address his weakness. Kohli was dismissed by Boland, edging a back-of-a-length delivery outside off-stump to Smith at second slip. Frustrated, Kohli yelled at himself before leaving the crease. Kohli is not the same in Australia. In Australia, 29 of Virat Kohli’s last 30 dismissals have been caught behind, with just one resulting from a runout.
First Innings frustrations
Kohli’s performance in the first innings of the match too followed a discouragingly familiar pattern. After settling in and facing more than 60 balls, there was hope that he might overcome the challenges he faced earlier in the series. Unfortunately, he was dismissed for just 17 runs. It was again an outside off-stump delivery that led to his downfall, causing the disappointment.
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Boland is the new enemy for Kohli
Scott Boland has become the new enemy of Virat Kohli now. He has dismissed him four times in a single series. Earlier, only Jimmy Anderson and Todd Murphy had done it.
| Bowler | Year | Dismissals |
|---|---|---|
| James Anderson | 2014 | 4 |
| Scott Boland | 2024/25 | 4 |
| Todd Murphy | 2023 | 4 |
Recurring weaknesses and adjustments needed
Virat Kohli’s Test batting average has dropped to 46.85, marking his lowest since the beginning of 2016. The manner of Kohli’s dismissals highlights a vulnerability that has haunted him, particularly in this series against Australia. His difficulties with outside off-stump deliveries require urgent technical adjustments. Despite efforts to modify his approach at the crease, bowlers like Scott Boland have managed to exploit this weakness consistently. It’s an area that Kohli must address if he has to regain his old form.
Kohli’s struggles have not only affected his personal form but also India’s overall performance in the series. Once a linchpin in the Indian batting lineup, his inability to anchor the innings has left gaps for the opposition to exploit.
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