Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan was not pleased with the way batter Virat Kohli got out in the ongoing 5th BGT 2024 Test in Sydney on January 3, 2025. Kohli, 36, scored 17 runs before losing his wicket in the 32nd over while chasing an outside off-stump delivery from Scott Boland.
Kohli even nicked the first delivery he faced, and Australia rejoiced when Steve Smith thought he had caught the ball. However, third umpire Joel Wilson believed Smith had touched the ball on the ground, granting Kohli a reprieve. However, he was unable to make Australia pay.
He was out in the similar fashion outside off stump a few deliveries after the incident with Scott Boland.
According to Irfan Pathan, Kohli continues to make the same mistakes. He also stated that Kohli must demonstrate discipline if he wants to score runs in Tests.
“Such a great player. But every time, the same mistakes. The gap between mistakes should be far apart. That’s what great players do, but he (Kohli) didn’t do it. Almost six dismissals in this series in front of pace outside the off-stump whether it’s playing the length on the front or backfoot or while driving in the air,” Pathan said on Star Sports.
“Today also he could have left it from the length, the line was far away as well. It’s all about discipline. Whoever makes the comparison, like great Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli should leave the balls outside off stump and show discipline,” he added.
While commentating, Irfan Pathan mentioned Sachin Tendulkar's versatility. He stated that Kohli can make the shots, but he appears hesitant at the moment.
“Sachin Tendulkar had a lot of range, there was cut, uppercut but Virat never plays those shots. It’s not like he’s never played them. He doesn’t want to do that. He is reluctant and that’s the reason he goes for the drive or tries to defend sixth or seventh stump balls. Every time, there is an outside edge, and he gets out,” Pathan said.
Here is the video:
Despite scoring a century in the second innings of the Border-Gavaskar opener in Perth, Kohli has struggled for runs. In the other seven innings, he has scored 5,7,11,3,36,5,17.
