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3 Mistakes Virat Kohli Must Rectify To Regain His Form In 2nd Test Vs Bangladesh

Virat Kohli failed against Bangladesh [Virat Kohli failed against Bangladesh [

A lot was expected of Virat Kohli in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, but the former Test skipper disappointed in both the innings, scoring just 22 runs. He looked vulnerable against spin in the second innings, a problem which he is yet to rectify after so many years.

He was out to Hasan Mahmud in the first innings, while chasing a sixth-stump delivery, and was trapped lbw by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, when he was batting on 17 in the second innings. Time and again, teams have exploited Kohli's loophole against spin-bowling, as whenever the India great comes onto bat, the opposition skipper brings on spinners from both the ends.

In the last 3 years, his numbers have gone down against spin bowling, and that has affected his game-play in Test cricket. So, with just a day left for the second Test in Kanpur, we look at 3 mistakes, which Kohli should rectify, in order to get back amongst the runs.

Learn from idol Sachin Tendulkar

Kohli idolises Sachin Tendulkar, and he started playing cricket because of his childhood idol, Tendulkar. During the 2003/04 Border-Gavaskar series, Tendulkar was repeatedly getting dismissed in the same fashion - chasing delivery outside the off and getting caught-behind.

A frustrated Tendulkar decided not to play a single cover-drive in the fourth Test at the SCG, and the result was that he scored a terrific double ton. The Aussie bowlers kept on delivery him outside the off, but he kept on avoiding the balls, showcasing his mental strength.

Kohli should implement the same strategy in the Kanpur Test. In the first innings of the Chennai Test, he was dismissed, trying to chase a 6th stump delivery. The former captain should just play on the 'V', and avoid anything that is pitched outside the off.

Start being aggressive Vs Spin

There was a point when Kohli used to take on spinners for fun. He used to be aggressive against them in Test cricket, smashing odd boundaries and putting the pressure back on them. However, since the Covid days, his game-play has changed. He plays defensive cricket against spinners in Tests, and the opposition take advantage of it.

He hardly uses his feet and tends to play from the crease, making the job easier for the spinners, In Indian conditions, the odd ball tends to stay low, and there is a chance for lbw dismissal, if the batter is hanging back and is playing from the crease. In the Kanpur Test, Kohli should be a bit more aggressive and should show intent against Shakib, Mehidy and probably Taijul.

Replicating his ODI game

Kohli is the master of ODI cricket. The format is in his veins, as he knows it at the back of his hands. The legend has 50 ODI centuries in the format, and should bring in the template in Test cricket as well.

In ODIs, he has a set template - find the odd boundaries, and rotate the strike with singles and doubles. This is something which he can try out against Bangladesh in Kanpur Test. Play with a positive frame of mind and rotate the strikes to pile on pressure on the opposition bowler.