'Only Relies On...': Irfan Pathan Bashes Virat Kohli's Limited Shot Range After SCG Failure

Irfan Pathan bashes Virat Kohli [Source: @pullexxx45/X.com, @IamTanujSingh/X.com]

Virat Kohli’s ongoing struggle with deliveries outside off-stump has once again come under the spotlight. The Indian batter, who survived a controversial catch earlier in the match was marred by the same shot dismissal that has plagued him throughout the series. 

Irfan Pathan, who had previously supported Virat Kohli during the controversial Jaiswal-Kohli mix-up run-out, has now turned critical of the Indian batter's technique following his latest dismissal. Kohli, who has struggled throughout the series with deliveries outside off-stump, was once again undone by a ball in the same area.

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Pathan Expresses Disappointment In Kohli's Shot Selection

Pathan, didn't mince words when he criticized Kohli's approach to the tricky outside-off stump deliveries and stated his disappointment while comparing him with Sachin Tendulkar.

“Virat Kohli only relies on limited shots like the front foot and cover drive on the offside. If you look at players like Sachin Tendulkar, he had a variety of shots, like the cut shot, square cut, and uppercut."

Pathan further shared his disappointment in Kohli's failure in shot selection as the Indian star batter failed to make it big in Sydney.

"It’s not that Virat doesn’t have these shots, but he neither uses them nor tries to use them.”

Kohli's dismissal in the first innings of the final Test mirrored his struggles from earlier in the series. A good-length delivery from Scott Boland, around off-stump, tempted Kohli to poke at it with hard hands. 

The ball found the outside edge of his bat, and Beau Webster, the debutant, pulled off a brilliant catch at third slip to send Kohli packing. Disappointed, Kohli walked back, visibly frustrated with his failure to convert his promising start into a significant knock.

India's Struggles Continue After Tea

Meanwhile, India continues to face a tough battle at the SCG, with the top and middle order struggling significantly. Rishabh Pant was sent back for 40 after tea and Nitish Reddy who showed his heroics in Melbourne fell for a golden duck. 

With the middle order struggling, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar now hold the batat the time of writing, as India tries to salvage their first innings against Australia.

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