126 runs from five innings with 100 coming in one. These numbers don’t do justice to Kohli’s record in Australia and his abilities. The Australian bowlers have stuck to bowling outside off to the batting stalwart whose propensity to chase after such deliveries has resulted in repeated outside edges that have either been caught by the wicketkeeper or in the slip cordon.
Cheteshwar Pujara feels that Kohli, who bats at no.4 in Tests, has been “forced to play” the new ball pointing fingers at the top-three batters for not spending enough time at the crease either.
“He (Kohli) has been forced to play the new ball. He has gotten out whenever he has played the new ball. When he played the old ball, he scored a hundred in Perth. So that’s also a very big point,” Pujara said on Star Sports.
“His Technique is not made for the new ball. His batting should come after 10, 15 or 20 overs. If he plays the new ball, the bowlers are fresh, and their confidence is also high. When they get two wickets, the entire team is charged up. So when you come to bat at that stage, it’s not easy,” he added.
In 17 innings so far this year, Kohli has managed just 376 runs at an average of 25.06 with his career-average dropping down to 47.40 – an eight-year low.
