Virat Kohli's struggles as he faced off against Australian bowlers were once again laid bare during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Known for his explosive batting style, Kohli's disappointing scores of 17 and 6 highlighted his weakness against deliveries outside off-stump, reigniting discussions about his top-form days now appearing behind him.
On January 3 and 4, Kohli was dismissed twice by the pacer Scott Boland, who has now become his nemesis, taking his wicket four times throughout this series alone. Kohli's consistent difficulties were painfully evident; he edged two balls from Boland to slips, with Steve Smith taking both catches. The pattern has become frustrating for fans and analysts who recall the prolific runs Kohli once amassed on Australian soil.
Nana Patekar, the Bollywood veteran and passionate cricket fan, shared his emotional connection to Kohli’s performance, stating, “If he gets out early, I lose my appetite. That’s how much cricket means to me.” This remark echoed the collective sentiment of many fans turning to humorous memes on social media after witnessing Kohli’s undoing.
Kohli’s woes at the crease paint a grim picture of his form throughout this series, where his totals added up to just 190 runs across nine innings, averaging 23.75. Excluding his century scored earlier at Perth, he has faced considerable challenges, with this series drawing comparisons to previous low points in his career. Throughout recent years, it has been noted Kohli has faced 23 dismissals to deliveries outside off-stump, raising questions about the evolution of his batting technique and strategy.
Scott Boland's strategy has proven effective against Kohli, as echoed by the bowler himself: "He sort of feels like he leaves a lot, and then he wants to play the ball once he gets in. So once he gets in, we just want to switch our lines a little bit to fifth stump, and it's working at the moment." The successful execution of this plan has led to Kohli being dismissed at least once per Test innings whenever facing Boland.
The first innings at Sydney was particularly excruciated for Kohli, who faced 69 balls before being caught out. This marked Kohli’s disappointing dismissal with Boland luring him to edge the ball away from his body, capitalizing on his visible frustrations as he walked off. Kohli’s reactions have evoked empathy from many who recall his once-indomitable presence on the field; he is now contemplating how to reclaim his previous glory.
The repercussions of Kohli’s form extend beyond his personal milestones. With India trailing 1-2 during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli’s struggles have amplified the pressure on the team. Now having stepped up as captain following Jasprit Bumrah’s medical issue, Kohli finds himself at the center of attention for both his batting and leadership, charged with turning around the situation against Australia.
Fans have taken to social media platforms to voice their frustrations and disappointment, often humorously dubbing him ‘done’ and calling for his reconsideration of Test cricket. Criticism has flown, with remarks centering on how incredible it is to see the former record-breaker remaining so on-brand with his series of dismissals. Yet, Kohli’s once-stalwart presence offers both narrative and emotion, with Indians still maintaining hope he will rise again.
Reflecting on the overall series, Kohli’s performance blends disbelief and melancholy. The potential of close matches and future competition weighs heavy, especially with the next series looming against England, where conditions may very well prove more challenging for the star batsman.
Could this be the end of the road for one of cricket's modern greats? Or will Kohli find the way back? While the cricketing world holds its breath waiting for the answer, one thing is clear: Kohli's legacy is too significant to ignore, and his immediate future holds the intrigue of every sporting narrative.