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'Mental Issue': Ex-Wicketkeeper Urges Virat Kohli To Stay In Limits To Tackle Lean Form

Akshita Patel

Deep Dasgupta gives brutal advise to Virat Kohli [Source: @sujeetsuman1991, @StarSportsIndia/X.com]Deep Dasgupta gives brutal advise to Virat Kohli [Source: @sujeetsuman1991, @StarSportsIndia/X.com]

Virat Kohli registered yet another failure in Test cricket as he was dismissed off just three runs against Josh Hazlewood in the Gabba Test. With his average on the decline, former cricketer Deep Dasgupta advised him to keep his ego aside and ignore cover drivers for the first 20-30 minutes of his stay at the crease.

India currently stand on the brink of back-to-back losses in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as a shambolic performance on Day 3 exposed the flaws in batting order. In reply to 445 first innings total set by Australia, India succumbed to 51/4 by stumps. 

After Mitchell Starc got the breakthrough of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli chased a wide delivery outside the off-stump line and nicked it to Alex Carey, leading to yet another disappointing dismissal for 3 off 16 balls.

Virat Kohli told to keep his limits in check

Analysing the veteran’s dismissal on Star Sports, Deep Dasgupta opined that teasing outside off-stump line deliveries is a mental and not a technical problem for Kohli. He advised the latter to focus on regaining his rhythm first before going for cover drives. The former cricketer added that Virat needs to stay within his limits to snap out of his lean patch.

"This is a mental issue, not a technical one. As a player of your stature, it's important to sometimes play within your boundaries. Everyone knows what you’re capable of—you’ve already proven your greatness over the last 10-15 years. There’s nothing left to prove."

"But occasionally, you need to focus on staying within your limits. Once you find your rhythm, you can gradually expand those limits. For the first 20 balls, forget about your favourite shot. Forget the cover drive that your fans love. Just put it aside for those 20 balls," he said.

In this series so far, barring a century in Perth, Virat Kohli has gotten out on 5, 7, 11 and 3. His average since the month of October has barely reached 30 which is a massive sign of worry for Indian cricket.

India on edge of going 1-2 in BGT 2024-25

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy momentum is slipping out of India’s grip. After winning the Perth Test, the visitors went down without a fight in Adelaide. Now, in Gabba, weather interruptions and questionable calls by captain Rohit Sharma have led to disaster. Australia set up a total of 445 runs in the first innings. And in response, India lost 4 wickets with just 51 runs on the board. With a trail of 394 runs, the threat of follow-on looms over the men in blue’s shoulders.