Virat Kohli’s return to international cricket after a gap of four months hasn’t gone quite as expected. The star batter, known for his consistency and precision, is still searching for rhythm in the ongoing ODI series against Australia. His recent dismissal in Adelaide sparked discussions among former cricketers, including Ravichandran Ashwin, who offered his perspective on what went wrong.
R Ashwin explained that the ball from Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett, which dismissed Virat Kohli, was a top-quality delivery but it also exposed that the Indian batter may need more time in the middle to find his usual touch. Virat Kohli came to the crease early after captain Shubman Gill’s dismissal in the seventh over. Xavier Bartlett tested him with a series of outswingers, targeting the line outside off stump, an area where many top-order batters can be vulnerable.
To finish the over, Xavier Bartlett cleverly altered his plan. After setting up Virat Kohli with those outswingers, he bowled one that straightened off the seam and jagged back in sharply. Kohli misjudged the line, missed the ball and was struck on the pads. The umpire raised his finger and even a review would likely have confirmed the decision, as the ball was tracking to hit the middle stump.
R Ashwin noted that this type of dismissal, being trapped by a delivery that moves back in after a few that go away, is a familiar pattern, one often seen with Indian openers like Rohit Sharma when facing bowlers such as Kagiso Rabada or Pat Cummins. However, in Virat Kohli’s case, Ashwin pointed out that it wasn’t just about the quality of the delivery. He observed that Kohli’s front foot movement showed he might have slightly misjudged the line, which is understandable after a long break from competitive cricket.
The former Indian off-spinner suggested that Virat Kohli simply needs some time in the middle to regain his rhythm. He praised the ball itself but emphasised that missing the line was a small technical lapse that can be corrected with more match practice.
Ashwin remained confident that Kohli will bounce back strongly, backing him to find form in the upcoming third and final ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25. For fans and teammates alike, there’s hope that the next innings will see a more settled, fluent Virat Kohli, the kind of player who has carried India’s batting for over a decade.
