Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has urged Virat Kohli to emulate Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic knock of 241 not out at Sydney during the 2003/04 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Gavaskar’s comments came after noticing a recurring pattern in Kohli’s dismissals during the second Test against Australia in Adelaide.
Kohli’s Struggles in Adelaide
Despite silencing critics with a match-winning century in the Perth Test, Kohli faltered in Adelaide, scoring just 7 and 11 across two innings. India’s 10-wicket loss in the match allowed Australia to level the series. Gavaskar expressed concern over Kohli’s vulnerability to deliveries outside the off-stump, a problem reminiscent of his early career struggles.
Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar said:
“In his previous matches, Kohli has been repeatedly dismissed outside the off-stump. It reminds me of Sachin Tendulkar’s approach during the Sydney Test, where he consciously avoided playing cover drives after similar dismissals in earlier games. Sachin’s patience and control allowed him to score 241 not out, and Kohli can achieve similar results if he adopts the same mindset.”
Sachin’s Masterclass at Sydney
In the Sydney Test of the 2003/04 series, Tendulkar refrained from playing a single shot on the off-side, focusing instead on mid-on and mid-off areas. This discipline helped him compile one of the most memorable double centuries in cricket history. Gavaskar believes Kohli could learn from this example to overcome his current struggles.
“If Kohli can restrain himself from playing outside the off-stump, just as Sachin did, he can score big runs again. Pat Cummins and the Australian team are already aware of his weakness and will exploit it further if he doesn’t adapt,” Gavaskar warned.
Kohli’s Previous Struggles and Tendulkar’s Guidance
This isn’t the first time Kohli has faced challenges with deliveries outside off-stump. During the 2014 tour of England, James Anderson repeatedly dismissed Kohli caught behind, leading to one of the lowest points in his career. Kohli later revealed how Tendulkar helped him adjust his technique.
“My hip position was the issue during that England tour. Sachin paaji helped me understand the importance of a strong stride and proper alignment. Once I corrected that, my game improved significantly,” Kohli said in an interview with Mayank Agarwal on bcci.tv in 2020.
Kohli’s adjustments bore fruit later that year during the tour of Australia, where he scored a staggering 692 runs in four Tests, including four centuries.
The Importance of Adaptation
Gavaskar’s advice underscores the need for adaptability in cricket, a lesson Tendulkar exemplified during his career. Former Australian captain Steve Waugh had praised Tendulkar’s ability to counter strategies, recalling how Tendulkar avoided cover drives entirely in Sydney to nullify the opposition’s plans.
“We thought we could exploit his cover drive, but he didn’t play one in that innings. It showed his ability to adapt and overcome opposition strategies,” Waugh had said in an interview.
A Path Forward for Kohli
Gavaskar concluded by advising Kohli to remain disciplined and avoid risky shots early in his innings. By focusing on playing straighter and minimizing risk, Kohli can regain his form and make a strong impact in the remainder of the series.
As Kohli prepares for the third Test at the Gabba, fans and experts alike will hope to see him draw inspiration from Tendulkar’s legendary approach and return to his match-winning ways.
