‘Bowlers know that Virat Kohli will mess up around the off-stump’ – Mohammad Kaif on bowlers exploiting star batter’s weakness

Virat Kohli & Mohammed Kaif. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The Australian bowlers have had the upper hand on Virat Kohli, having dismissed the legendary batter cheaply in three out of the four innings he has played so far in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Pat Cummins and Co. have targeted Kohli’s well-documented weakness, which is the deliveries around the off-stump line and reaped the rewards.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif wants the Indian bowlers to take a leaf out of Australia’s book and target Travis Head, who also isn’t comfortable facing deliveries outside the off-stump. The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that Scott Boland, who isn’t a regular member in Australia’s playing XI, is also aware of Kohli’s problems against the balls outside the off-stump.

“Virat Kohli ki kamzori log pakad ke rakhe huye hai. Off-stump ke bahar ball dalo, wahan out honge (People know Virat Kohli’s weakness and hold on to it. Bowl outside the off-stump, he’ll get out there),” said Kaif in a video posted on his own ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) account.

“Someone like Scott Boland plays only two or three Tests in a year, but even he knows exactly where you need to bowl to Kohli. You know that Kohli will mess up around the off stump and send a catch to the wicket-keeper or slip cordon. So why can’t the Indian bowlers target Travis Head’s weakness consistently with proper planning? Why can’t we pinpoint Head’s weakness and keep bowling outside the off-stump or target him with short balls? Every batter has weaknesses, why can’t we plan properly against Travis Head and trap him?” Kaif added further.

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Head played a match-winning innings of 140 off just 141 balls in the first innings of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval to orchestrate a series-levelling win for the World Test Champions. Meanwhile, apart from his unbeaten century in the second innings in Perth, Kohli has only managed 23 runs from three outings in the ongoing five-match series. The third Test gets underway on Saturday, December 14 at the historic Gabba in Brisbane.

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