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How Kohli Can Learn From Tendulkar's 2004 Sydney Masterclass To Fix His Off-Stump Woes?

Jatin

Virat Kohli needs to take a leaf out of Sachin Tendulkar's book [Source: @HaramiParindey, @dwivedikaustuv/x.com]Virat Kohli needs to take a leaf out of Sachin Tendulkar's book [Source: @HaramiParindey, @dwivedikaustuv/x.com]

Virat Kohli’s struggles outside the off-stump have come back to haunt him in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. At the Gabba, it was deja vu as Josh Hazlewood tempted him to drive a wide delivery, only for Kohli to nick it to Alex Carey behind the stumps.

The recurring type of dismissal has become all too familiar and predictable. For a batter of Kohli’s stature, this weakness is starting to raise red flags. However, there’s a way for fixing this and it comes from none other than Kohli’s idol himself, the great Sachin Tendulkar, and his iconic 241* at the SCG in 2004.

Tendulkar’s Genius At Sydney

Let’s rewind to India’s 2003-04 series against Australia. Sachin Tendulkar, much like Kohli now, was battling a run of dismissals outside off. Instead of getting frustrated, Sachin did something extraordinary. He simply stopped playing the cover drive.

Yes, you read that right. He let go of his signature shot and firmly refused to chase deliveries outside off-stump. It was a rather courageous decision that paid off brilliantly.

Sachin scored a marathon 241* in that match, spending over 600 minutes at the crease. He left anything that wasn’t straight, batted with monk-like patience, and wore down the Aussie pacers. Brett Lee, Steve Waugh, and co. were left scratching their heads as Sachin batted them into the ground.



The Off-Stump Trap: Kohli’s Weakness

Virat Kohli’s problem isn’t new. Bowlers have exploited his eagerness to drive by setting him up outside off-stump. The fourth and fifth stump line is like bait, and Kohli has bitten far too often this series.

He wants to get going quickly, but his instincts are costing him. Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and co. know exactly what to do—keep it wide, invite the drive, and wait for the edge.

The problem? Kohli is playing into their hands. Great bowlers thrive on patterns, and Kohli hasn’t adjusted his game yet.

What Kohli Can Learn From Sachin?

Tendulkar’s Sydney knock is a textbook lesson in patience and smart batting. Instead of falling for the bait, Sachin stayed within his limitations and focused on scoring in safer areas. Kohli, too, can take a similar approach:

  1. Avoid the cover drive: It’s hard to imagine Kohli without his trademark cover drives, but desperate times call for desperate measures. By cutting out risky shots early in his innings, Kohli can avoid loose dismissals.
  2. Leave, leave, and leave some more: In Tests, leaving balls outside off-stump is as valuable as scoring runs. It frustrates bowlers, forces them to change their plans, and reduces the chances of edges. Kohli needs to trust his judgment and leave anything wide.
  3. Wear the bowlers down: Sachin’s 241 wasn’t an aggressive knock but it was brutally effective. He neutralized the Aussie pacers and forced them to bowl to his strengths. Kohli can do the same: play straight, leave the wide ones, and grind the bowlers down.

Kohli Has Done It Before

It’s not like Kohli hasn’t shown the ability to adapt. At his best, he’s left balls outside off with great discipline, especially in England and New Zealand. But old habits have crept back in, and Kohli needs to tighten up his game again.

The key is patience. Kohli thrives on long innings, and this is where he can double down on his strengths. Staying at the crease, cutting out rash shots, and waiting for the bowlers to come to him could make all the difference.