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3 Reasons Why Virat Kohli Failed To Make The Most Of 86-Ball Grind In Boxing-Day Test

Anurag Dasgupta∙ Updated: Dec 27 2024, 4:20 PM

Why Kohli failed on Day 2 of Boxing-Day Test [Source: AP Photos]
Why Kohli failed on Day 2 of Boxing-Day Test [Source: AP Photos]

The same old story repeated on Day 2 of the Boxing-Day Test between India and Australia from the MCG. Virat Kohli looked in command, weathered the early storm and just when it looked like he'll score a big one, the right-handed batter edges one to the keeper.

The Melbourne Test match has all been about Kohli and his antics on the field. However, when he came out to bat after the dismissal of KL Rahul, pressure was right on top of Kohli as he needed some runs under his belt. He looked at his stubborn best and was patient enough to avoid the outside the off-stump deliveries as he batted for 86 deliveries. However, one lapse of concentration and Scott Boland found the outside-edge as Kohli walked back in disappointment.

But what led to Kohli playing a rash shot?. He looked settled for 85 balls and on the 86th delivery, he chased at a ball outside the off. Here are the 3 reasons why he failed to make the most of it.

3) Confidence was shaken after Jaiswal's dismissal

Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal added 100-plus runs for the third wicket as the duo took India out of a precarious situation. However, an error of judgement from Kohli led to Jaiswal getting run-out on 82.

The run-out was partly Kohli's fault and that run-out was on a repeat mode inside his head as he played a rash shot outside the off and the outside-edge was taken safely. It's as if his confidence was shaken as he knew Jaiswal was batting well and he made a big blunder by running him out.

2) Australia's persistent line got the better of him

Kohli only has one weakness and that is outside the off deliveries. Australian bowlers knew that as they kept on persisting on the same lines and constantly bowled at him at that particular channel.

Initially, Kohli resisted and left numerous deliveries as he only pounced on the bad balls. However, after 86 balls of grind, the wait game was over as he went after a Scott Boland delivery and found the outside-edge.

1) Wanted to assert his dominance and paid the price

After the fall of Jaiswal, Kohli was the main man and he wanted to assert his dominance on the Aussie bowlers, but the move failed and he had to pay the price for it.

Only a couple of overs were left before the play on Day 2 would have ended, and Kohli could have avoided going after the ball, but his go-to-shot in Tests is the front-foot drive outside the off and he went after the delivery and got the edge.

Plus, he was batting at 36 and perhaps wanted to get rid off the monkey of his back by scoring a fifty on Day 2. Hence, while trying to up the ante, he got dismissed.