Decoding Virat Kohli's Spin-Struggle Vs Bangladesh In 1st Test

Kohli dismissed by Mehidy in second innings [PTI] Kohli dismissed by Mehidy in second innings [PTI]

Virat Kohli's lean patch in 2024 continues as he failed to deliver the goods in the first Test match against the visiting Bangladesh side. The batting maestro could only score 6, and 17 in the first two innings of the Test as India won the game by 280 runs.

For the last couple of years, Kohli's Test numbers have gone down, especially in Indian conditions. In India, spinners dominate the proceedings and Kohli's defensive approach hasn't helped his cause with changing times. As a result, his former coach, and friend, Ravi Shastri came up with an advise for his former student.

Speaking to Jio Cinema, Shastri advised Virat Kohli to not be afraid of the spinners and play with aggression against them, in Indian conditions. He mentioned that Kohli hardly uses his feet against the spinners, and at times can deploy the sweep shots to counter them.

Therefore, keeping in mind Shastri's words, we decode how Kohli struggled against the spinners in 1st Test.

Why Kohli struggled against Bangladesh in 1st Test

Even before the start of the first Test, we stated that spinners have Kohli's number, and they tend to dominate the India great. Bangladesh perfectly exploited Kohli's weakness and brought in spinners from both the ends in the second innings.

From one end, there was Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and from the other end, there was Shakib Al Hasan. Two different set of spinners were deployed to tackle the Indian batter. They kept a slip throughout the innings and also had a short-leg in place, in case of a catching chance.

He scored 17 runs, but never looked comfortable against Bangladesh - the reason - he wasn't proactive against the spin-bowling. Kohli hung back and survived a few deliveries which kept low. He hardly charged down the track to negate the spin and made the life easier for the Bangladesh spin duo.

This was the 39th occasion in Test matches that Kohli has been dismissed by an off-spinner, and the spinners have certainly become a kryptonite for the legendary batter.

Kohli had a defensive mindset against the spinners, and this led to his wicket when he was trapped in front by Mehidy. Someone like a Yashasvi Jaiswal is difficult to tackle, since he has an aggressive approach against spin, and makes them unsettle. But nowadays, taking Kohli's wicket has become easier since he has a timid approach.

How should Kohli deal with Bangladesh spin duo?

The next Test starts 6 days, and Kohli should aim to bat with a positive frame of mind against them. On Indian pitches, if you are too defensive, then there would be an odd-ball, which would keep low, or will turn sharply to take the edge. Hence, it is important to make the bowler guess your next move.

In the 2014 series against Australia, Kohli used the sweep shots to perfection and should deploy it in his arsenal to tackle Shakib and Mehidy. Maybe an occassional use of the feet to disrupt spinners' lines and lengths will also work.