Josh Hazlewood Strikes Again: Virat Kohli Dismissed in 3rd Test of BGT 2024-25
On December 16, 2024, during the pivotal third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba, Josh Hazlewood delivered yet another stunning performance, dismissing India's star cricketer Virat Kohli and turning the tide for Australia. Kohli fell for just three runs after edging a delivery pitched outside off stump, resulting in a catch by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. This moment marked the continuation of Kohli's struggles with deliveries outside his off stump, and contributed to the mounting pressure on the Indian side.
The sequence of events leading to Kohli’s dismissal was particularly impactful. Earlier, Shubman Gill had fallen after scoring just one run as he attempted an ambitious drive off Mitchell Starc’s bowling. With Kohli's wicket soon after, the Indian team found themselves reeling, having lost three key batsmen at just 22 runs on the board. Hazlewood’s exceptional form, matched with Starc's aggressive bowling, left India struggling to settle, igniting questions about their batting strategy and resilience.
This was not the first time Hazlewood had capitalized on Kohli's identified weaknesses. Over the course of international cricket, Hazlewood has now dismissed Kohli 11 times, combining performances across Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals. The nature of Kohli’s dismissal on this day was reminiscent of past encounters, where deliveries outside off-stump had frequently led to his downfall. Cricket analysts have highlighted this pattern, noting it has become increasingly concerning for the Indian team.
Statistics reveal much about Hazlewood’s dominance. He has dismissed Kohli five times across 367 balls bowled during Test matches, with Kohli managing 173 runs at an average of 34.6. Hazlewood has also excelled against him in ODIs, claiming Kohli five times from just 98 deliveries faced. This string of dismissals underlines the significant mental and technical challenges facing Kohli as this series progresses.
Former cricketing greats, including Sunil Gavaskar, voiced their opinions during the match coverage. Gavaskar stated, “If it was on the fourth stump I could understand, but this was wide, on the seventh, eighth stump... He’d be very, very disappointed with himself.” His criticism highlights the expectations on Kohli to calibrate his batting approach and address the technical flaws preventing him from capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Kohli's woes had resurfaced amid contrasting fortunes earlier this year. Following his influential century during the Perth Test, Kohli had been plagued by inconsistent performances across subsequent matches, including disappointing totals of 7 and 11 runs during the second Test of the series, where Hazlewood once again highlighted Kohli’s inability to handle deliveries outside off-stump.
Such recurring failures have led to scrutiny of Kohli’s technical prowess. Fans and analysts alike have called for introspection within the Indian coaching staff, questioning the effectiveness of the current batting mentorship. Sanjay Manjrekar raised concerns, stating, “Why major technical issues have remained unresolved for so long with certain Indian batters,” and this sentiment resonates with many supporters who recognize Kohli's past brilliance.
Social media has echoed the outcry, with some fans humorously questioning the identity of the batting coach: “Who’s gonna teach Virat to play?” echoes frustrations over Kohli's repeated dismissals. Stakeholders across social media platforms have demanded accountability from the coaching unit as Kohli’s dismissals become emblematic of larger issues within the Indian batting lineup.
Despite the challenges, Kohli's historical significance within cricket cannot be overlooked. His capacity to rebound after failures, as seen with his century after poor showings, indicates his resilience. Nevertheless, the question remains—can he overcome this troubling trend of misjudgments against deliveries he should be leaving alone?
Looking forward, it becomes imperative for Kohli to adjust his approach, as rival bowlers are now consistently exploiting this vulnerability. The upcoming Tests will serve as litmus tests not just for Kohli's form and skill set, but for the broader state of Indian cricket as they aim to combat Australia's formidable attack.
Hazlewood's performance against Kohli is one factor driving the narrative of the series, but it’s also about much more—it's about cricketing prowess, tactical adaptability, and personal growth amid pressure. Fans around the world are eager to see if Kohli can respond to the challenge and re-establish his dominance against one of Australia's finest.
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at stake and the weight of expectations heavy upon Kohli’s shoulders, the next chapters of this cricket saga promise to be captivating as these two sporting giants continue to battle it out on the field.
