Virat Kohli’s ‘adamance’ of not finding any other way to tackle weakness outside off has led to his batting average slipping to 40s, feels Sanjay Manjrekar | Cricket News

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Virat Kohli’s ‘adamance’ of not exploring any other way to overcome his weakness outside the off stump has been a key reason for his batting average sliding down to 48.
Kohli, who had struck a century in the 1st Test could not build on that momentum in the 2nd Test at Adelaide, falling for just 7 as he deflected a rising ball Mitchell Starc to the slip fielder.
“One important reason why Virat’s average has slipped to 48 now, is the unfortunate weakness outside off. But more crucially his adamance to not try another way to tackle it,” Manjrekar posted on X.

One important reason why Virat’s average has slipped to 48 now, is the unfortunate weakness outside off. But more crucially his adamance to not try another way to tackle it.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 6, 2024
Kohli’s century against Australia last month came after a tough lean patch for the batter which led to him entering the average of 40s for the first time in 5 years back in 2022.
In the match, India were all out for 180 at dinner on the opening day of the pink ball Test against Australia on Friday.
India lost six wickets in the second session after they were reduced to 82 for 4 at tea.
Rishabh Pant (21), captain Rohit Sharma (3), Harshit Rana (0), Ravichandran Ashwin (22), Jasprit Bumrah (0) and Nitish Reddy (42) got out in the post-tea session as Australian bowlers continued their domination on the first day of the second Test.
Pacer Mitchell Starc was the wrecker-in-chief for Australia as he took six Indian wickets for 48 runs.
India squandered a promising start after opting to bat as they lost the plot within a few overs before tea.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hit a century in the first Test, was out for a duck in the first ball of the match, while his opening partner KL Rahul was dismissed for 37.
(With agency inputs)