Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli equaled an unfortunate record on October 17 at the first Test match against New Zealand at Bengaluru. Kohli, who has been struggling at his form for quite some time, departed for a duck after he faced just nine balls, which has highlighted his recent woes at the crease.
It happened on Day 2 of the game when Kohli was facing a short-pitched delivery from New Zealand’s fast bowler Will O’Rourke. In an attempt to fend off the ball, Kohli lost in his battle and gloved it to leave a sharp catch for Glenn Phillips at leg gully. This dismissal made Kohli the victim of his 38th international duck, leaving him at the top list of the most ducks by active cricketers with New Zealand’s Tim Southee. Just behind India’s captain Rohit Sharma with 33 ducks to his name, there seems to be an emerging trend among some of the game’s biggest stars.
Kohli’s performance has come under scrutiny. Analysts pointed out the fact that he had failed to make significant scores recently from the actual talents. It’s the latest dismissal to add to the uncertainty of his batting prowess that had earlier established him as one of the greats of the modern game. Critics now pose this question: is Virat Kohli’s recent form a fleeting phase or an indication of a deep decline in his cricketing prowess?
Before play started, Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first, which appeared promising at the start. However, rain lashed continuously throughout the first day, with a loss of play and thus, setting an uncertain tone for the match. India had made two important changes to the lineup for the game. Replacing an injured Shubman Gill, who suffered neck stiffness, an inquiry with the Indian team management confirmed, a slated Sarfaraz Khan entered the fray. Kuldeep Yadav also found a place in the playing XI, replacing an unselected seamer Akash Deep to strengthen the spin department.
The Test series between India and New Zealand has entered its penultimate phase with two more matches to go, one from October 24-28 in Pune and the other from November 1-5 in Mumbai. It is only when the series will approach its end that Virat Kohli will be viewed even more keenly by fans and analysts alike. His legacy among the finest in cricket will be at stake, and everybody will be waiting and watching his back from this disappointing setback.
Virat Kohli has always been that firecracker when it mattered the most with aggressive batting coupled with an unwavering commitment to the game. However, the situation now exacerbated by the pressure of expectations and recent performances raises questions about his mental fortitude for this turbulent phase, many in professional sports have seen the same and emerged from the experience stronger after passing through adversities. The optimism of the Virat Kohli camp, meanwhile remains that it would prove a catalyst for a resurgence.
The Virat Kohli innings story is a microcosm of the pressure cooker of international cricket: an inning can make or break a player. The impact of this innings goes beyond Virat Kohli to Indian morale, and perhaps also strategy, for the rest of the series. With India sailing into the high-pressure waters of competition, every man – especially the experienced ones – has a role in reaching the heights of greatness.
Fans and critics alike will view Kohli’s performances in the following matches to see what brings redemption to him when he is not as forceful as he was during his standing period. Will this duck be the beginning of a long spell or will he find his way back to being that forceful batsman again? Only time will tell, but the cricketing world is never dull, and Kohli’s work should be pretty intriguing in the coming weeks.
To Read More: Sports