Srinagar: Former India cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri has given a valauble suggestion to struggling Virat Kohli on how to tackle offspin and play like he used to play.
As Kohli returned to playing Test cricket for India after seven months, it was once again offspin that got the better of him. In the first innings, Kohli nicked the ball to the keeper chasing a ball outside off, while in the second, he failed to pick a fuller-length delivery, was given out LBW and for some bizarre reason, didn’t even opt for DRS even as the ball hit the bat.
With the dismissal, this was the 39th occasions in Test matches that Kohli has been dismissed by an off-spinner. Moeen Ali, Nathan Lyon, Graeme Swann have all had success against Kohli, which fails to mask his weakness against the finger spinners. Leg-spinners Adil Rashid and Adam Zampa have also gotten the better of Kohli a combined 17 times, but in Test matches per say, off-spin is proving to be kryptonite for the Indian batting stalwart.
“He has [gotten out to spinners] especially in the last 2-3 years. But he has scored a lot of runs too. What you want to see him do more is use his feet. Get to the pitch of the ball, probably employ the sweep. You’ve got to move with the times, don’t be afraid to go over the top when the field is up. You could try and do things to unsettle the spinners rather than allowing him to keep bowling at you. It’s what he did a lot when he scored a lot of runs,” Shastri said while on commentary shortly after Kohli made the walk back to the change room.
“Also some of the tracks that India have played on. It’s not been easy. Plus I know a few dismissals where like Shubman Gill in the first innings, he’s gotten caught down leg wide. Funny dismissals. He’ll be aware of it. That’s for sure. There is no batter who doesn’t remember. Obviously you find a method of finding a solution. Find out what works for you and stick with that,” mentioned the former India all-rounder.