Virat Kohli - From Trial by Fire to the Battle Within | (Wed 20 Nov 2024 06:02)

This reflection on Virat Kohli's career, particularly his evolution since the 2012 Perth Test, provides an insightful look into the pressures and challenges he's faced, both mentally and technically, over the years. Kohli's career, overcoming the technical battle and mental grind, he resembles each one of us in some sense, makes me write this piece.

In 2012, Kohli was a young, promising batsman, struggling to find his footing in Test cricket. Despite some early failures, especially in the first two Tests of the series in Australia, a crucial knock in Perth helped him turn things around. His performance in that series—44 in the first innings and a vital 75 in the second—marked the beginning of his solidification as a key player for India in Tests. The scenario surrounding him at that time was fraught with uncertainty, with the media speculating whether Rohit Sharma would replace him, but Kohli emerged unscathed from the trial by fire.

Fast forward to today, Kohli is no longer the young prodigy but a seasoned star facing different types of challenges as he approaches the twilight years of his career. At 36, Kohli is still in excellent physical shape, but the game has changed. The technical issues that now hinder his form—such as difficulties against spinners, issues with his back foot play, and an increased vulnerability to LBWs—have crept into his game over time.

What stands out is Kohli's approach to batting, which is rooted in a strong belief in the importance of technique. His conviction that batting is 70 percent technical, rather than 80-90 percent mental, sets him apart from many other cricketers who emphasize the mental aspect of the game. This mindset has served him well, but with the technical issues now affecting his performance, Kohli is forced to reconcile his mental preparation with the technical adjustments needed to overcome these hurdles.

His struggles with technique, especially against spinners and pace bowlers, are not new, but they have become more pronounced. Former cricketers like Sanjay Manjrekar have highlighted issues such as Kohli's reluctance to get on the back foot and his habit of staying on the leg-stump line, which has made him vulnerable to turning deliveries and LBWs. These technical flaws, compounded by the mental strain of recent form issues, present a complex challenge for Kohli as he looks to rediscover his rhythm.

The fact that Kohli has been able to navigate these challenges, both mental and technical, speaks to his resilience and determination. He himself has acknowledged how crucial mental preparation is, emphasizing the need to visualize success before stepping onto the field. However, his recent struggles suggest that his mental approach, once an aid to his technical game, is now required to overcome those technical issues.

The story of Kohli's rise to prominence in 2012, followed by his current struggles, is a reminder of the cyclical nature of a cricketer’s career—where successes and failures intertwine. Just as MS Dhoni once advised him to "go with the flow" during tough times, it might be that Kohli's next breakthrough comes not through over-analysis of his technique, but by returning to that natural, confident mindset that allowed him to flourish in the first place.

Virat Kohli's form in 2024 has been subpar, especially in Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand, where he scored just 280 runs in his last 10 innings. With only five Tests played this year, he'll face immense pressure in the upcoming series in Australia. Despite this, his impressive record against Australia, including eight hundreds and five fifties, means he should not be underestimated. Kohli will be looking to bounce back and regain his form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The question remains: Can Virat Kohli "go with the flow" again, as he did in 2012, and overcome the technical and mental challenges he's facing now? Time will tell, but if his past is anything to go by, his journey is far from over.