Sanjay Manjrekar has now given his take on Virat Kohli‘s lean patch, saying his judgement of length has gone down, and it isn’t as great as it used to be. As the cricketing world sets its sights on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, beginning on November 22 in Perth, the spotlight isn’t just on the clash between India and Australia but also on the individual performances that could sway the series.
Among these, form of Virat Kohli has become a topic of intense scrutiny and discussion, especially after Sanjay Manjrekar’s candid remarks on Kohli’s recent lean patch in Test cricket. Manjrekar, known for his forthright commentary, highlighted Virat Kohli’s struggle to replicate his past glories, suggesting that the maestro might not be at his peak anymore.
Virat Kohli’s lean patch in his cricketing career in recent times
Virat Kohli, whose name has been synonymous with aggressive, high-scoring innings, has seen a dip in his Test cricket performance since 2020. With only two centuries in 34 matches, and an average dipping under 30 in four of the last five seasons, the numbers paint a stark contrast to Virat Kohli’s earlier dominance. This period of relative underperformance has led to a narrative shift around Virat Kohli, from being an unstoppable force to a batsman finding his footing again.
However, it’s worth delving deeper into Kohli’s recent outings, especially his performance in South Africa, where the pitches were notoriously challenging. Scoring 172 runs at an average of 43, Virat Kohli showcased resilience and technique, contributing significantly to India’s draw in the series. This performance, while not spectacular by Virat Kohli’s standards, underscores his ability to adapt and survive in conditions that test even the best. It’s this aspect of Virat Kohli’s game that often gets overshadowed by the expectations set by his own illustrious past.
Gone are the days when Virat Kohli used to be a run-machine. The high scores have dried up, and the right-handed batter finds himself under severe pressure. The former India captain, who just recently turned 36, scored a little above 90 runs in the three-match series against New Zealand, and now it needs to be seen whether he can change his fortunes around. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has now given his take on Kohli’s lean patch, saying his judgement of length has gone down, and it isn’t as great as it used to be.
Virat Kohli has just managed one half-century and averages just 21.33 across five Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand since the beginning of 2024. The right-handed batter, has registered just two Test centuries since 2020, and his form is a big concern, ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sanjay Manjrekar said that Kohli now has started to play off the front foot a lot, and his backfoot game has suffered, as a result.
Sanjay Manjrekar slams Virat Kohli’s lean patch ahead of BGT 2024-25
Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar feels Virat Kohli’s lack of proper judgment of length has resulted in his recent lean patch in Test cricket. With the five-Test series between India and Australia down under starting in a week, all eyes are on Kohli to see if he can turn his form around.
The 36-year-old hit rock bottom in India’s most recent 0-3 home Test series loss to New Zealand, scoring under 100 runs in six innings at a dismal average of 15.50. Kohli has scored only the lone half-century in Tests this year with an average of under 23 in six outings.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Manjrekar addressed the worry about Kohli’s batting, calling out the predominant front-foot play in recent times.
“His judgment of length, whether it’s spin or pace, has gone down. It’s not as great as it used to be. That comes back to him. He was one of India’s best players of spin, and played a lot off the back foot. Now there’s a lot of front-foot play in everything he does, so his perception of length has not been great. That’s a reason he doesn’t have the kind of numbers he’s had in the past,” he said.
Manjrekar added:
“Once he’s on the front foot, the balls he used to cut and pull off the back foot he was defending. He’s just made his own life more difficult. Clearly, in that series (New Zealand), because the conditions were such [that] he wasn’t feeling confident or hopeful, he wasn’t trusting his defense, he was slightly nervous of mind and uncertain.”
Virat Kohli has scored only two Test centuries in 34 matches since 2020, with his average being under 30 in four of the last five seasons.
Sanjay Manjrekar believes Australian pitches will suit Virat Kohli’s style of play
Sanjay Manjrekar expects Virat Kohli to rediscover his form in the upcoming series down under, highlighting the Australian pitches as the reason.
The 36-year-old has often thrived against the red-ball in Australia, averaging an excellent 54.08 in 13 matches.
“This will suit him. Turning pitches, low bounce, the ball coming slowly off the pitch, everything is not quite as ideal. The way he batted in South Africa against a good attack – South African pitches are even more difficult than Australian pitches because there’s lateral movement right through. He handled that really well,” said Manjrekar.
He concluded:
“I would say forget about the home series. South Africa is quite recent. I would urge people to have a look at his numbers there. He looked India’s best player by far that trip. I’m looking that as evidence of what we can expect from Virat in Australia.”
Virat Kohli scored 172 runs at an average of 43 the last time India played an away Test series in South Africa. Despite the pitches being highly challenging, the veteran batter showed incredible defiance to help India walk away with a 1-1 drawn outcome.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, therefore, presents Virat Kohli with more than just a series; it’s an opportunity for redemption, a chance to silence the critics, and perhaps most importantly, to rediscover his form on Australian soil, where he has historically thrived. Kohli’s journey in this series could script a comeback story or add layers to his already storied career.
His approach, especially in the initial overs, will be crucial. The Perth pitch, known for its pace and bounce, demands a cautious yet aggressive batting strategy, something Virat Kohli has mastered in his prime.
As Virat Kohli steps onto the Perth pitch, the expectations, the pressure, and the legacy of his past performances will be palpable. Whether he scores a century or faces a challenging dismissal, Kohli’s approach, his fight, and his spirit will be the true measure of his journey. For fans and critics alike, this series transcends cricket; it’s about witnessing one of cricket’s modern legends in a battle against his own form, against time, and against the expectations of millions.
In closing, Kohli’s performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will not only influence the series’ outcome but also shape the narrative around his career’s latter stages. Whether Kohli emerges triumphant or not, his journey through this series will be remembered as a testament to his enduring spirit in the face of cricket’s most challenging tests.
As cricket enthusiasts around the globe watch, it’s not just Kohli’s runs but his resilience, his battle against the odds, that will define this chapter of his cricketing saga. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy,2024-25