Legendary Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has offered some valuable advice to Virat Kohli after the Indian batting icon failed to deliver in the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Adelaide Oval. Former Australia batter Ricky Ponting wants Virat Kohli to take a leaf out of Sachin Tendulkar’s book. Speaking after the 2nd Test match in Adelaide where Virat Kohli got out for 7 and 11 respectively, Gilchrist said that Virat Kohli might be better off playing the patience game.
Virat Kohli has gotten out thrice this series edging the ball behind the stumps. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Gilchrist said that Kohli should have a look at Sachin Tendulkar’s knock in Sydney back in 2004, where the batter did not hit a single shot through the cover as he had been edging the ball outside off stump in the build up to that game.
Sachin Tendulkar’s SCG knock a lesson for all
Sachin Tendulkar’s unbeaten 241 against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the 2003-04 Test series is one of the most memorable and strategically brilliant innings in cricket history. This knock was significant not only for its volume of runs but also for the extraordinary discipline and control Tendulkar exhibited.
Prior to this match, Tendulkar had been struggling with his form, particularly against deliveries pitched outside the off stump. He had been dismissed repeatedly while attempting his trademark cover drive, a shot that had been a cornerstone of his batting but had become his downfall in the series. Determined to turn things around, Tendulkar made a bold and pragmatic decision: he chose to refrain from playing a single cover drive throughout the innings.
This strategy was both daring and effective. By avoiding his natural instinct to play the cover drive, Tendulkar nullified the Australian bowlers’ primary plan to dismiss him. The Australian attack, which included formidable bowlers like Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, and Nathan Bracken, had been exploiting Tendulkar’s weakness outside the off stump, but his new approach denied them this avenue.
Instead, Tendulkar focused on accumulating runs through leg-side strokes, flicks, and precise placements. He faced 436 balls and scored 241 runs, including 33 fours, without once succumbing to the temptation of playing a cover drive. This masterclass in patience, technique, and temperament wore down the Australian bowling attack and helped India amass a massive total of 705/7 declared.
Tendulkar’s innings was pivotal in securing a draw for India in the match, and he was awarded the “Player of the Match” for his outstanding performance. This knock remains a testament to Tendulkar’s ability to adapt and evolve his game under pressure, showcasing his mental fortitude and tactical acumen at the highest level of cricket
Virat Kohli’s twin failures at Adelaide a concern after excellent hundred at Perth
Virat Kohli needs to get inspired by Sachin Tendulkar’s brilliant 241* in SCG on the 2003-04 tour of Australia, stated former Australia keeper-batter Adam Gilchrist. This came after Kohli’s poor dismissals in the second BGT 2024 Test in Adelaide.
After a brilliant ton in the second innings in Perth, it was expected that Virat Kohli would lead the way for India with the bat in Adelaide, his favorite Australian ground to score runs. However, he only managed 7 and 11 runs in two innings in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, both times getting out trying to play balls outside the off-stump.
Adam Gilchrist suggested that Kohli looks at Sachin Tendulkar’s knock in Sydney in 2004 when the batter did not hit a single shot through the cover after edging the ball outside off stump in the lead-up to the game.
Adam Gilchrist’s advice to Virat Kohli after twin failures in 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test
Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist advised ace batter Virat Kohli to take a page out of Sachin Tendulkar’s famous 241* at Sydney in 2004 to overcome his outside off-stump troubles. Gilchrist’s remarks came after Kohli endured twin failures in the second Australia Test at Adelaide, which India lost by ten wickets.
The 36-year-old nicked off to deliveries outside off-stump in both innings off Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. Kohli has historically been troubled in Tests by that line against pacers despite his stellar record.
Gilchrist talked about Kohli’s struggles on Cricbuzz. He said via India Today:
“The biggest battle, is not with what’s coming towards you from the bowler or the skill of the opposition, it’s more about battle between your ears. So, not suggesting that Virat scrambled any sense, but maybe he’s got to try and hone in on what Sachin Tendulkar did at the SCG. And say ‘right he’d say, right, I’m not gonna go chase anything outside off stump. You come to me.’ You just play the patience game.”
For the uninitiated, Tendulkar was going through a similar by nicking balls outside off-stump to be dismissed in the first three Tests of the 2003-04 Border-Gavaskar Trophy down under.
However, the legendary batter willed himself to completely shutting off the cover drive in the series finale at Sydney. Tendulkar scored a sensational 241* off 436 deliveries in that contest as India piled on 705/7 in their first innings en route to a drawn outing.
“He’s carried the weight of expectation since U-19 level, entering the IPL and becoming the icon that is” – Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist backed Virat Kohli to be mentally tough and play the patience game in the upcoming Tests against Australia.
The veteran batter scored a magnificent unbeaten century in the second innings of the first Test at Perth to break out of a form slump. However, the twin failures at Adelaide have reignited the talks about Kohli’s Test form over the past few years.
“He’s got enough experience under his belt to know that he’s mentally tough. He’s carried the weight of expectation since U-19 level, entering the IPL and becoming the icon that is,” Gilchrist said in the same interaction.
“He should be able to say to himself, I’m going to do what’s within my capacity to do the best thing for the team and if it’s a long patient game, so be it. If you play long enough, you’re probably gonna have to evolve in different ways and this might be an opportunity for Virat to do that,” he added.
Despite missing out on three of the four innings in the ongoing series, Virat Kohli still averages an impressive 52.67 in Tests Down Under. With the series nodded at 1-1, he will look to bounce back in the crucial third Test in Brisbane, starting Saturday, December 14. Virat Kohli’s form with the bat will be crucial for India as they aim to win the remaining three Tests in a bid to qualify for the WTC 2025 final. The third Test of BGT 2024 will begin in Brisbane on December 14.