Virat Kohli’s performance in red-ball cricket has sparked concerns after a disappointing series during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Despite starting the series with a century in the first Test, the Indian batting stalwart struggled to maintain consistency, finishing with just 190 runs at an average of 23.75 across five matches. The alarming pattern of his dismissals – frequently edging deliveries outside off-stump to the slip cordon or wicketkeeper – has reignited discussions about his technical issues.
This long-standing weakness, evident over the past four years, has once again come to the forefront, leaving the Indian team management and fans worried about Kohli’s ability to regain his former dominance. The problem has drawn criticism from cricketing legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Manjrekar, who have called out the coaching staff for not addressing Kohli’s vulnerabilities.
Gavaskar and Manjrekar Criticize Coaching Staff
Gavaskar and Manjrekar recently expressed their disappointment with the Indian coaching setup, suggesting that Kohli’s struggles outside off-stump should have been resolved. Labeling the issue as “chronic,” the former cricketers questioned the roles of head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Abhishek Nayar in finding a solution.
Gavaskar remarked that such persistent problems should not persist for a player of Kohli’s caliber, while Manjrekar echoed similar sentiments, urging the team’s coaching staff to take responsibility.
Aakash Chopra Defends Gambhir and Nayar
However, Aakash Chopra came to the defense of the current coaching team, arguing that it is unfair to blame Gambhir and Nayar for a problem that predates their tenure. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted that Kohli’s weakness outside the off-stump has been an ongoing issue and cannot be attributed to the coaching staff that joined only six months ago.
“Sunny bhai and Sanjay bhai said this is a chronic issue. But if it’s a long-standing problem, it’s not fair to hold the current coaching staff solely accountable. This is an issue that has resurfaced and should have been addressed earlier,” Chopra explained.
Should Past Coaching Staff Be Held Accountable?
Chopra further pointed out that if blame is to be assigned, it should also extend to previous coaching setups. Kohli’s decline in red-ball cricket has been evident for years, with his batting average falling to 30.72 since 2020. According to Chopra, the onus for addressing such a persistent issue lies with past coaches, including Rahul Dravid and his team.
“If this is indeed a chronic issue, then questions should also be raised about what the previous coaching staff did to fix it. It’s not something that can develop or be resolved in six months,” Chopra argued.
Can Kohli Reclaim His Best Form?
As Kohli’s technical flaw continues to attract attention, the Indian team faces a significant challenge in helping their star batter rediscover his form. With critics and fans eagerly awaiting a solution, the focus remains on both Kohli’s adaptability and the coaching staff’s approach to addressing this long-standing issue.
The cricketing fraternity can only hope that Kohli will find a way to overcome these struggles and return to his commanding best in the red-ball format.
