Veteran Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has been the subject of significant scrutiny following his latest disappointing performance in the fifth Test match against Australia in Sydney. Kohli, once regarded as one of the most dominant batsmen in the world, has found himself facing a recurring issue – being dismissed caught behind. On this occasion, he fell for just six runs against Australian pacer Scott Boland, leading to an uproar across social media platforms.
This article examines the current struggles of Virat Kohli, his dismissal pattern, the reactions from cricket fans, and the tactics used by bowlers to dismiss him consistently.
Virat Kohli’s Recurring Dismissal Pattern
Kohli’s dismissal against Scott Boland in Sydney was a familiar one. The right-handed batsman nicked a delivery outside the off-stump, which was edged to the wicketkeeper for yet another caught-behind dismissal. This marks his eighth caught-behind dismissal in the series, further adding to his frustrations and raising doubts about his form. Kohli did manage to hit a boundary early in his innings, but his inability to adapt to Boland’s persistent line outside off-stump resulted in yet another low score.
As a result, fans have expressed increasing concern about his technique. This pattern of dismissals has made his performances in the series a hot topic of discussion. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), have erupted with commentary, ranging from frustration to humor.
Social Media Reactions: Fans Mock Kohli’s Performance
The cricketing world has always been quick to react, and this time, social media users did not hold back in their criticism of Kohli’s performance. One user on X wrote, “If consistency is an art, Virat Kohli is an artist,” poking fun at his repeated dismissals. Another user expressed disbelief, saying, “Kohli I’m sorry but you’re done. Not even an amateur will get out for the same delivery in every single innings of a series [sic].”
Others took a more humorous approach, suggesting Kohli undergo a stint at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) but not for fixing his batting technique – rather, they joked it would be to help youngsters practice their slip catching skills, given the frequency of his dismissals in the same fashion.
Scott Boland’s Strategy to Dismiss Virat Kohli
Scott Boland has emerged as one of the most effective bowlers against Kohli in recent years. In the current series, Boland has dismissed Kohli in both innings of the fifth Test match. His strategy is simple but effective – target the outside off-stump and tempt Kohli into playing a shot. Speaking about his tactics after dismissing Kohli, Boland revealed, “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 Australian pacer has already dismissed Kohli multiple times in past series. In addition to his success in the current series, Boland had also removed Kohli in the second innings of the Adelaide Test and the first innings of the Melbourne Test. Two years ago, Boland took Kohli’s wicket during the World Test Championship final at Lord’s.
Other Bowlers Who Have Troubled Kohli
Scott Boland isn’t the only bowler to have consistently dismissed Virat Kohli. The former Indian skipper has also faced challenges from renowned bowlers like James Anderson and Nathan Lyon, who have dismissed him seven times each. English all-rounder Moeen Ali and pace bowler Ben Stokes have dismissed Kohli six times, while several other top-tier bowlers, including Stuart Broad, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Kagiso Rabada, Peter Siddle, and Mitchell Starc, have claimed Kohli’s wicket on five occasions.
These statistics highlight the growing trend of Kohli’s struggles against certain bowlers, raising questions about his adaptability and technique.
What’s Next for Virat Kohli?
Virat Kohli’s struggles in the current series have led to mixed reactions from the cricketing community. While some believe that Kohli’s form is temporary and that he’ll regain his touch soon, others argue that his technique needs a serious overhaul, especially against certain bowlers. Kohli’s fans continue to stand by him, hopeful that he will overcome these challenges and return to his best.
The criticism from social media is undoubtedly difficult for Kohli to ignore, but it also serves as a wake-up call. Perhaps it’s time for the Indian batsman to reevaluate his technique and adapt to the changing demands of modern-day cricket. For now, Kohli remains one of the most accomplished batsmen in the world, but as his recent performances show, even legends can face a slump.
Conclusion: Can Kohli Bounce Back?
Virat Kohli’s ongoing struggles in the series against Australia have brought his weaknesses into sharper focus, particularly his vulnerability to deliveries outside the off-stump. With fans mocking his repeated dismissals and bolstering calls for a technique revision, the pressure is mounting on the 35-year-old to overcome his slump. Whether Kohli will be able to make the necessary adjustments and regain his status as one of the world’s best remains to be seen. However, his journey through this rough patch will surely be one to watch closely in the coming months.
