New Delhi. Virat Kohli is called the king by his fans, but he is struggling badly in 2024. Leaving aside Perth’s century, they have been able to cross the 50-run mark only once. In such a situation, cricket experts are advising Kohli to change his batting strategy and style. Especially against the new ball, on which they try to play shots. Kohli also takes lessons in this regard from his Fab-4 teammate Steve Smith.
Virat Kohli has been caught by the slip fielder or wicketkeeper 4 times in the last 5 innings against Australia. This is not the only similarity. The balls on which Kohli was out were pitched a little before the good length spot and reached Kohli with good bounce. Cheteshwar Pujara says that Kohli could have left these balls but he tried to drive. This is not a new thing either. Kohli has been scoring a lot of runs with this shot. But there is more bounce on Australian pitches. Therefore, he should avoid playing this shot at least on this tour. Especially when the ball is new. When the ball gets old, Kohli will score a lot of runs by playing this shot.
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Virat Kohli can also take a lesson in this regard from Steve Smith’s Brisbane innings. Before this century, Smith had scored only 232 runs in 13 innings of 7 Tests in 2024. Before scoring a century in Brisbane, he was able to cross 40 runs only once this year. Anyone who has seen Steve Smith play in the Brisbane Test knows that in this match he maintained such distance from the new ball as if it was a snake. Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj bowled well with the new ball, but Smith just kept giving them respect. He played his balls only when they were around the stumps. He let the remaining balls go into the gloves of Rishabh Pant.
Steve Smith played 34 balls to score 10 runs in the Brisbane Test. He crossed the 20-run mark when the 50th ball was played. To complete his fifty, he faced 128 balls and scored his century in 185 balls. That means he played 57 balls to reach 50 to 100 runs.
Kookaburra let the ball grow old
It is clear from Steve Smith’s batting that if you do not tamper with the new ball. Give him respect and let him go to the wicketkeeper. Initially focus on spending time at the crease and not on scoring runs. Cheteshwar Pujara says that Kookaburra’s ball stops swinging after 40 overs. This is the time when Virat can score runs as per his wish. Virat should wait for this time.
Advice to take lessons from Steve Smith
Harbhajan Singh advised to take lessons from Steve Smith. He said, ‘We saw in this match how Steve Smith released the new balls. He kept leaving the ball until it became old. Indian batsmen will also have to do the same. When you leave the ball, you force the bowler to change his plan. First the bowler tries to pull you out. When you don’t fall into his trap, he throws the ball closer to you. This is the opportunity when you can score runs.
FIRST PUBLISHED : December 17, 2024, 09:49 IST