Star of India Virat Kohli he was visibly frustrated after falling victim to a familiar weakness – a ball outside the off stump. His dismissal for just 6 runs on Saturday during the fifth Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground brought the 2024-25 season to an abrupt end Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) campaign.
What makes this dismissal even more emotional? It could well be the last time fans see Kohli bat on Australian soil.
Kohli’s frustration was captured on the stump mic as he shouted angrily while the ball traveled to second slip, where it was placed safely.
The Scott Boland show is delivering at the SCG!
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He's got Virat Kohli now. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/12xG5IWL2j
Kohli falls into Boland’s perfect trap
The dismissal took place on the first ball of the 14th over. Scott Boland, who has troubled Kohli throughout the series, bowled a hard length outside the off-stump channel. Kohli, tempted to play with hard hands, bowled the ball at second slip, giving Australia an easy flap.
What made the dismissal more painful for Kohli was the precision with which Boland executed Australia’s premeditated plan. The Australian pacer had openly discussed his strategy against Kohli during a press conference on Friday.
“We have quite a few plans in place as to how we want to bowl him,” Boland revealed to Fox Cricket. “He feels like he gets away a lot and then he wants to play the ball once he gets inside. So once it comes in, we just want to change our lines a little bit on the fifth stump, and it’s working right now.”
Kohli’s BGT Final numbers are disappointing
Kohli’s series stats do not reflect the dominance expected of one of the greats of the game. He managed just 190 runs from nine innings at an average of 23.75. His only century came in the second innings of the first Test in Perth, but since then, he has struggled to convert starts into big scores.
The Sydney Test saw Kohli bowl India at 47/2. He looked in good touch initially, scoring a confident boundary and handling the Australian pacers well. However, Boland’s relentless accuracy ended Kohli’s stay, bringing an anticlimactic end to his series.
Disappointment overcomes
Kohli’s visible anger after his dismissal was a rare sight. Known for his intense focus, the 35-year-old batter is usually calm under pressure. But on Saturday, he let his emotions show.
Even before the ball reached second slip, Kohli was heard shouting and swearing at himself. It was a reflection of the frustration that has built up throughout the series, especially given his vulnerability outside off stump.
Virat Kohli’s future in Test cricket?
Kohli’s form and future in the Indian Test Team there were hot topics of discussion. Reports suggest that the Indian selectors will review his place in the Test squad after the BGT.
Kohli’s struggles with balls outside the off stump have been well documented. This series once again exposed his weakness as Australia’s bowlers relentlessly targeted this area.
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2025-01-04 06:43:00
