After a challenging performance in the recent pink-ball Test against Australia at Adelaide, former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has advised Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli to adopt a patient approach, akin to Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary 241* at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in 2004.
SOURCE : ZEE
Kohli, who has been struggling with his form outside off-stump, was dismissed cheaply in both innings of the Adelaide Test, scoring just 7 and 11 runs. The Australian pacers exploited Kohli’s weakness, getting him out in a similar fashion in both innings1. Gilchrist believes that Kohli should take a leaf out of Tendulkar’s book and challenge himself not to play the cover drive, a shot that has often been his downfall.
Source:- bbc news
During the 2004 Test, Australia planned to get Tendulkar out while attempting a cover drive. However, Tendulkar analyzed the field early and decided not to play the shot1. This strategy paid off, as he went on to score a monumental 241 runs against a fierce bowling attack. Gilchrist emphasized that the biggest battle for Kohli is not with the bowlers but with himself1.
“The biggest battle, is not with what’s coming towards you from the bowler or the skill of the opposition, it’s more about the battle between your ears,” Gilchrist told Cricbuzz. “So, not suggesting that Virat scrambled any sense, but maybe he’s got to try and hone in on what Sachin Tendulkar did at the SCG1. And say ‘right he’d say, right, I’m not gonna go chase anything outside off stump. You come to me1. You just play the patience game.”
Gilchrist has backed Kohli to overcome this rough patch, citing his mental toughness and experience. “He’s got enough experience under his belt to know that he’s mentally tough1. He’s carried the weight of expectation since U-19 level, entering the IPL and becoming the icon that is,” Gilchrist added.
Kohli’s recent struggles have been a cause for concern among fans and experts alike. Despite his stellar record, the Indian star has found it difficult to overcome his outside off-stump troubles in Tests1. However, his century in the second innings of the first Test at Perth showed glimpses of his potential to bounce back.
Gilchrist believes that this is an opportunity for Kohli to test himself mentally and evolve as a player. “He should be able to say to himself, I’m going to do what’s within my capacity to do the best thing for the team and if it’s a long patient game, so be it1. If you play long enough, you’re probably gonna have to evolve in different ways and this might be an opportunity for Virat to do that,” he said.
As Kohli gears up for the upcoming Tests against Australia, all eyes will be on whether he can replicate Tendulkar’s patience and turn his fortunes around. The cricketing world eagerly awaits to see if Kohli can rise to the occasion and deliver a performance reminiscent of Tendulkar’s heroics at the SCG1.
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