Virat Kohli’s much-awaited return to international cricket did not go as planned. After seven months of absence, the Indian star was dismissed for a duck in the first ODI against Australia in Perth, which lasted just eight balls before he edged back a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc.
Australia’s pace attack kept Kohli quiet, using clean lines and back-length deliveries outside off stump, an area where bowlers often target him. Despite the early setback, former Indian cricketer Abhishek Nayar believes Kohli will bounce back with the same intensity that defined his career.
“From all the time I spent with him, I can say that he knows how to play with passion and aggression. He will back himself every time,” Nayar said. “There will be a lot of talk about his struggles with off-stump deliveries, but he will go back, reflect, visualize and meditate to get into his zone.”
Nayar added that Kohli’s mentality remains his biggest strength.
“He will work on reviving the mentality of the old, classic Virat Kohli. He will focus on playing freely, without worrying about the result as he has no control over that. His main focus will be on the process.”
According to Nayar, both Kohli and the opponents are fully aware of the tactics being used against him.
“If you ask anyone, they will tell you that when Virat is on the boundary, the plan is usually to bowl a delivery on the back of the length outside off stump. Both Virat and the opposition are well aware of that,” he said.
Nayar also pointed out that the match situation often dictates Kohli’s approach.
“It’s all about execution and managing pressure. It also depends on the situation he comes in. If Virat comes in to bat after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have already put up 70 runs in the first ten overs, it’s a different scenario. But when he comes in, everything changes.”
As India enter the must-win second ODI in Adelaide, the focus will be on how Kohli responds.
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