Reflection: Virat Kohli's sternest test as yet

Tags: India tour of England, 2014, India, England, Virat Kohli

Published on: Aug 01, 2014

During the course of his career, every cricketer goes through two common phases -- one is a honeymoon period often referred to as a purple patch,

During the course of his career, every cricketer goes through two common phases -- one is a honeymoon period often referred to as a purple patch, and the other is a rough phase. Apart from Don Bradman, every cricketer, no matter how big or small, from Gary Sobers to Richard Hadlee to our very own Sachin Tendulkar has gone through this bad patch. It is least surprising then that Virat Kohli is passing through a run of poor form. Sooner or later, it had to come. In Kohli's case, the purple patch lasted longer than expected. This is a tribute to his technique, temperament as well as commitment. His bad phase has finally come though.


It is no cause to worry for either India or Kohli. For now, his poor run may be affecting India, but in the long run, it will be beneficial to both him and the team. Kohli was not actually expected to struggle in England; after all he had scored runs in Australia, South Africa, and was reasonably successful in New Zealand as well. In fact, a former India great had predicted at least three hundreds for Kohli. This is again a great indication of how highly he is rated even among his seniors, and deservedly so, since he has proved himself all over the globe across all formats. It has actually surprised many that Kohli has struggled to such a great extent in England.

Normally, players are found out at the start of their careers, when bowlers work extra hard to figure out the batsmen's strengths and weaknesses. As such, Kohli should have gone through a poor run much earlier. He did have a tough time in West Indies in 2011, and even seemed to be finding it hard in Australia. But, the Adelaide hundred changed it all, even as India floundered in the series. That ton was Kohli's making as a Test cricketer, and ever since, he has been a completely different player altogether. In fact, it wouldn't be wrong to say that over the last couple of years, Kohli has been India's best batsman irrespective of the format.


What then has gone wrong with India's number four in England? Well, to put it simply, it is the fact that England's pace bowlers have spotted a weakness in Kohli's technique, especially under the moving conditions in England. The ball hanging outside the off stump has forced Kohli to poke his bat at deliveries that he could and should have left alone. It isn't as if Kohli is unaware of his off stump. It is more the fact that his style of play instinctively urges him to have a feel of the ball though the result may be disastrous. Alastair Cook had been going through a similar phase in the last 12 months, and he seems to have passed on the baton to the Indian youngster.


In his six-year stint with the Indian team, Kohli has seen unbelievable highs -- from the World Cup win to some massive ODI chases and spectacular Test knocks. Without doubt, this is Kohli's sternest test till date. His confidence and temperament will now be put under the scanner. The same critics who couldn't stop raving about him will now question his abilities. Kohli is too good a player to be in bad form for too long. He will definitely work his way out of trouble. But, how soon he does it, and the manner in which he overcomes this tough phase will be really intriguing to observe.


--By A Cricket Analyst

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