The Concerning Numbers
The recently completed series loss in Sri Lanka has triggered many people in India to ponder about the batting abilities of Kohli. Kohli who is exceptional in International cricket has created this thinking in fans and others due to inability to perform ‘well’ in the most recent series. In the same manner, an ex-India cricketer observed, “Virat Kohli couldn’t impose himself in the series.” – a judgement that further lingers the deepening trend of Kohli’s inability to assert himself in the abroad series.
Kohli’s statistics in the series can be termed as abysmal as he managed a dismal average of 21. 33 completing the test with the highest score of 42. This is absurd for a player such as him, who has the capacity to single handedly take the game away from his counterparts. His challenges were reflected in his inability to ‘pick and choose’ with the strike properly time after time Dasun Shanaka and Dushmantha Chameera tied him down.
The Reasons Behind Kohli’s Struggles
Thus, one might wonder what could be the causes of Kohli’s failures? The only possible reason that comes to my mind is that he is finding it hard to grind and adopt to the existing conditions and the bowling style. The Sri Lankan spinners were able to challenge Kohli’s abilities through the variety and deceit off spin bowling bowlers namely Akila Dananjaya and Lasith Embuldeniya. However, Kohli, in particular, was a much more subdued version of his usual aggressive self mainly because the Sri Lankan pace bowlers managed to successfully ‘shut him up’.
The Impact on India’s Batting Performance
This is not to say that there are no issues regarding Kohli’s form; the thought concerns the team as a whole as well. His difficulties have also affected batting statistics of the team. Earlier, Kohli was the pillar that Indian batting has largely leaned on, and thus, when he fails, other batsmen have to rise up to the occasion. This has put extra burden on players like Rohit Sharma, who has managed to score big for India and Cheteswar Pujara who has offered a long hard fight for his team.
The Possibility of a Long-Term Decline
The encouraging word though is that Kohli has proved he is capable of coming out of a poor run back into reckoning. He toils on his game and he has displayed fair level to change his tactics depending on the weather or any other form of opposition. Alas, it is also necessary to note that this series is not unique to Kohli, he has been in a somewhat poor streak for some time now.
Finally, I had to conclude that though Kohli was in a disastrous form during Sri Lanka Tour but that can’t be predicted as his career’s end. Even assuming that Kohli is slightly out of form, a little work on his game and some fortunes can easily have him back in beast mode soon. At the same time, it is critical for the Indian team’s leaders to identify different strategies and prepare for a situation when Kohli will not be as destructive as before.