Virat Kohli might trapped “outside the off stump”, says Sanjay Manjrekar

One of the biggest concerns for Team India might not be injuries at the moment, but then it is ex-skipper Virat Kohli‘s poor batting form. The 36-year-old is yet to score a ton this year in Tests, and his average has dropped to 47. Former batter Sanjay Manjrekar has revealed the plan, that the Aussie bowlers might come up with to get rid of Virat.

Virat Kohli vs AUS

“I think Virat Kohli knows exactly what’s going to be planned (for him by the Australians). They’ll start with that line outside the off stump and gauge what his mindset is. These days, he often leaves balls outside off and looks to drive anything pitched up,” said Manjrekar on Star Sports.

“Australia might also try to cramp Kohli for room and attack his body since he likes to get forward. This was a tactic New Zealand used effectively. If he’s focused on balls outside off stump, bowlers like Josh Hazlewood might target that typical Vernon Philander line on middle stump. Australia will test various strategies, and Kohli is fully aware of that.”

IND vs AUS, 1st Test

What is even more glaring about Virat Kohli’s form is, in the last 60 Test innings, he averages only 22.72. It must be reminded to all, that Virat only managed to score one fifty in the IND vs NZ Tests, and IND vs AUS series might be no different. He has time-and-again, fallen to the off-side line trap, be it to pacers, or to spinners.

In fact, even during Team India’s practice session in Perth, he suffered a “mysterious injury”, and was rushed for scans. After that, it was later revealed that there were no real concerns over his fitness.