IndiaThe batting line-up has stumbled in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the side trailing 2-1 heading into the Sydney Test. Senior batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma they drew criticism for their poor performances. Kohli, a proven performer in Australian conditions, managed just 1519 runs at an average of 49 in 17 games Down Under. However, in this series he struggled to repeat his past glory.
Adding to Kohli’s woes are his on-field controversies. A violent incident with Sam Konstas at the MCG cost him a penalty of 20% of his match fee and a deserved point. These incidents, combined with his poor hitting, put him under intense scrutiny.
Finch’s perspective: Does Kohli thrive in adversity?
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch he offered a unique perspective on Kohli’s behavior. Speaking on ESPN’s “Around the Wicket” podcast, Finch suggested that Kohli’s confrontational behavior could be a deliberate tactic.
“Virat is someone who has always thrived under pressure and when his back was against the wall. He just feels like he’s trying to put his back against the wall. He tries to be hostile, he tries to almost start a fight because that’s when he plays best,” Finch noted.
Finch went on to say that Kohli’s efforts to create tension could be an attempt to rekindle his competitive edge. “It seems like he’s making other people feel that way. We haven’t seen the best of him in this series yet,” he added.
Irfan Pathan calls on Rohit Sharma to strike back amid struggling form
Astounding numbers in a year full of challenges
Kohli’s recent Test performances paint a bleak picture. In 2023, he collected only 417 runs at an average of 24.52. His contributions in the current Test World Cup cycle have also been underwhelming, with 728 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 34.66, including just two centuries.
Despite a promising start in the first innings in Melbourne, where Kohli seemed to be in control, Australia’s disciplined bowling attack kept finding ways to dismiss him. Finch admitted as much, noting: “He looked beautiful in the first innings in Melbourne and it looked like he wasn’t going to get away. But Australia bowled well.”
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