Virat Kohli's struggle with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy has become a major talking point in cricketing circles, with former players and experts weighing in on what it would take for the Indian stalwart to overcome his weaknesses against deliveries outside the off-stump.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has also shared his views on Kohli's perennial problem of getting dismissed on outside the off-stump deliveries.
Bangar advised Kohli to focus on playing closer to his body ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), starting on December 26.
Bangar believes Kohli’s impressive record at the venue (316 runs at an average of 52.67 in six Test innings) and its conducive conditions present the perfect opportunity for the star batter to regain his mojo.
"Sometimes you need to keep your status as a batter in control a little. When you surrender slightly to the game, spend a little time, ease out in the middle, wait for the bowler to come to you, and do not go yourself towards the bowler, that's the sign of a big player," Bangar said while speaking on Star Sports.
Bangar also called Kohli a showman and highlighted his liking for big occasions. "He has great memories on this ground. He played a 169-run knock here, and it's a ground where the crowd will come to watch. He is a showman. Any performer needs a grand spectacle, and this is a grand spectacle. So, keep your status slightly in control."
Apart from his second innings hundred (100) at Perth, Kohli has registered paltry scores of 5, 7, 11 and 3 in the ongoing Australia tour so far. The pattern of his dismissals is the biggest cause of concern.
During the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, Virat was undone by a rising delivery from Mitchell Starc outside off stump in the first innings while he got out chasing a wide delivery by Scott Boland in the second essay. He had failed to tackle the bounce of Josh Hazlewood's delivery in the first innings of Perth Test as well.
The age-old problem of fishing outside the off stump led to Kohli’s downfall in the first innings of Gabba Test as Hazlewood once again got the better of him.
Bangar emphasized the need for Kohli to tighten his game outside the off-stump. "Play as many balls as possible close to your front pad, and then the runs will flow. It’s not that he hasn’t scored runs. He scored a century three innings ago, and in the series before that, he played a 70-run knock against New Zealand in Bengaluru," he stated.
Bangar expressed confidence that minor tweak in his approach could resolve Kohli's recent struggles.
"If he tries to play slightly close to the front pad, I feel all these dismissals of his will automatically get erased."
With the BGT currently tied at 1-1, India would expect Virat Kohli to step up to the plate in the fourth and penultimate Test.
