Former Australian captain Greg Chappell has weighed in on Virat Kohli’s recent struggles in international cricket, coining the term “Elite Performance Decline Syndrome” (EPDS) to describe the challenges faced by the star Indian batter. Chappell believes that even cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting encountered similar phases in their careers.
Kohli’s Struggles in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Kohli’s performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been underwhelming, despite a brilliant century in the second innings at Perth. In the series so far, he has managed to score only 126 runs across five innings, with 100 of those runs coming in a single knock. Australian bowlers, particularly their pacers, have exploited his vulnerability outside the off-stump, leading to repetitive dismissals.
Chappell Diagnoses Kohli’s Struggles
Writing for The Sydney Morning Herald, Chappell explained EPDS as a phase where elite players experience a dip in their usual standards. He pointed out a change in Kohli’s approach at the crease, noting a tentative start to his innings, which contrasts sharply with his earlier aggressive style. According to Chappell, Kohli seems to rely on reaching a certain score – around 20 or 30 runs – before regaining his rhythm and confidence.
“The first sign of EPDS is a subtle shift in a player’s mindset. Kohli, much like Tendulkar and Ponting before him, appears to need a buffer score to get into his flow,” Chappell observed.
Psychological Strategy to Overcome EPDS
Chappell suggested that Kohli should focus on setting short-term goals, such as getting to 20 or 30 runs, to regain his confidence. He emphasized the importance of these early milestones in rebuilding self-belief.
“Reaching a score of 20 or 30 serves as a psychological turning point, helping batters rediscover their fluency and confidence,” he wrote.
Rekindling Confidence: The Key to Revival
Kohli’s recent numbers reflect his struggles in Test cricket. Starting with the Bangladesh series in the 2024-25 season, his first-innings scores in eight completed innings average just 9.125. The sequence includes scores like 6, 47, 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, and 3.
Chappell stressed that regaining confidence is crucial for a return to form. “Confidence is an emotion,” he remarked, adding, “Recreating the mindset of your youthful days, though challenging, is essential. If you can do that, there’s no reason why you can’t reinvent yourself.”
Path to Redemption
Chappell’s analysis offers valuable insights into the psychological aspects of cricket and the challenges faced by top players during lean phases. For Kohli, a shift in approach and rekindling his self-belief could be the keys to overcoming this slump and returning to his best.
