Sunil Gavaskar Criticizes Virat Kohli’s Dismissal in Gabba Test First Innings

Virat Kohli’s dismissal in the first innings of the third Test against Australia at the Gabba reignited discussions about his vulnerability outside the off-stump.

Chasing a wide delivery from Josh Hazlewood, Kohli edged the ball to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, leaving India in a precarious position.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar didn’t hold back in criticizing Kohli’s shot selection, pointing out that the ball was far from the stumps.

“If it was on the fourth stump, I could understand,” Gavaskar remarked on Channel 7. “This was wide, on the seventh, eighth stump… there’s no need to play that.”

Kohli’s Lack of Patience Draws Criticism

Gavaskar expressed disappointment over Kohli’s dismissal, especially considering India had already lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill to reckless shots.

“He’d be very, very disappointed, he’d be very upset with that,” Gavaskar stated. He emphasized that Kohli should have shown more patience, particularly as rain was imminent and India needed stability at the crease.

The issue of chasing wide deliveries has been a recurring problem for Kohli throughout his career. Gavaskar pointed out that Kohli’s dismissal mirrored his earlier dismissals in the series, where he was tempted by balls outside the off-stump.

A Lingering Weakness: Fishing Outside Off

This technical flaw has often been exploited by Australian bowlers, who have successfully lured Kohli into playing loose shots.

Hazlewood’s delivery in Brisbane was pitched well outside the off-stump, yet Kohli reached for it, attempting an expansive drive. The result was a straightforward catch for Carey.

Gavaskar highlighted Kohli’s struggles with similar dismissals in the past. “In the earlier three dismissals, there was nothing wrong. (But) this one, he brought this upon himself because he could’ve left that ball well alone,” he said.

Lessons from Sachin Tendulkar

Several cricket pundits have urged Kohli to take inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar’s approach during the Sydney Test in 2004.

Tendulkar famously refrained from playing cover drives throughout his innings, scoring a disciplined double-century. Gavaskar believes a similar strategy could help Kohli overcome his struggles with wide deliveries.

Despite rigorous practice in the nets to address this issue, Kohli has struggled to replicate his adjustments in match situations.

His natural instinct to go for cover drives continues to get the better of him, especially on Australian pitches with extra bounce.

A Dip in Form and Comparison with Peers

Kohli’s current form has also been a topic of concern. While he scored a century in the first Test of the series in Perth, it remains his only fifty-plus score in five innings.

Fans had hoped his century signaled a return to form, but his performances in Adelaide and Brisbane have fallen short of expectations.

Once leading the “Fab Four” (Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson) in Test centuries, Kohli has now been surpassed. Root has 36 Test centuries, while Smith and Williamson each have 33. Kohli, by comparison, remains at 30.

The Way Forward

Gavaskar advised Kohli to adopt a more patient approach, particularly in challenging conditions like Gabba. “You’ve got to give yourself a little bit of time, not play as low as you do in India,” Gavaskar suggested.

He emphasized the importance of playing a waiting game rather than attempting attacking shots early in the innings.

Kohli’s dismissal has once again raised questions about his ability to adapt his game. As Gavaskar noted, “The fact that he is leaning on to the front foot… he needs to give himself a little more time.”

Kohli’s struggles outside the off-stump have persisted, drawing sharp criticism from cricketing legends like Gavaskar. His dismissal at the Gabba highlights the need for greater discipline and patience at the crease.

Comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar’s meticulous approach underscore the adjustments Kohli must make to regain his consistency and form.