Team India coach Rahul Dravid spent some time at the nets with Virat Kohli as the Men in Blue prepare for the IND vs WI 1st Test. Kohli has struggled for form off late, after a flop show in the World Test Championship Final last month. With his weakness outside off stump resurfacing, the 33-year-old has sought Dravid’s advice to correct the flaws in his game.
One of the greats of the game, Kohli’s career has been built on his aggressive batting in Tests. However, over the last couple of years, bowling attacks have cherry-picked the flaws in his game to diminish his returns. His tendency to push for balls outside off stump remains, as witnessed in the WTC Final.
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During the 2-day practice game in Barbados, Virat found himself grappling with familiar struggles outside the off-stump in an intense intra-squad practice game. While the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma looked at home, Kohli largely struggled against the left-arm angle of Jaydev Unadkat. The veteran pacer raised questions about Kohli’s technique and exploited his vulnerability with deliveries outside the off-stump.
Kohli tentatively fished at the ball, only to be caught by a local fielder stationed at first slip. Unadkat’s unorthodox angle and well-executed line and length proved to be Kohli’s downfall, adding to a pattern of dismissals that has plagued him in Test cricket. Given the history, the former India captain set to work in the nets with Rahul Dravid a keen observer.
Virat batted alongside Ajinkya Rahane in the nets, facing the Indian pacers in tandem. Kohli stood his ground resolute in defence while leaving deliveries outside off stump. Dravid, who was watching from behind the bowler, kept a good eye on the proceedings.
Kohli’s struggles are well known. In the last three years, he averages a lowly 31.76 with 1239 in 23 Tests with a solitary century. With a reboot likely on the cards, Virat will have to let his bat do the talking in West Indies should he aim to keep his place in the side. India have already snubbed Cheteshwar Pujara, while Ajinkya Rahane is also on thin ice despite his WTC final show.
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