‘Playing in domestic cricket could have benefited’ – Anil Kumble after Virat Kohli’s poor dismissal in Pune Test

Virat Kohli (Photo Source: Jio Cinema)

Virat Kohli’s return to the Test arena hasn’t been memorable as the legendary batter has failed to live up to his lofty standards. After the right-handed batter was dismissed for just one on Day 2 of the second Test between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Friday, October 25, Anil Kumble reckoned that he would have benefited from playing in domestic cricket ahead of the grueling season of Test cricket.

Kohli looked positive from the outset after he came out to bat at the fall of Shubman Gill’s wicket in the first session. However, the New Zealand spinners bowled tightly and tested his defensive technique. The Delhi batter tried to break the shackles after seeing a flighted delivery from Mitchell Santner but he played down the wrong line and failed to make any contact as the ball crashed in the stumps.

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“Perhaps just one or two innings in a match situation could have helped. Being in an actual game is definitely more beneficial than just practice; it gives an upper hand. If he feels that playing earlier would have benefited him, and the team management agrees, then maybe it would have. However, I don’t think we can look at that as the only reason for his struggles against spin,” Kumble said while speaking on Sports18.

When Kohli has come to the crease, the pitches have often favored spin: Anil Kumble

Kumble noted that when Kohli comes out to bat in Indian conditions, it is not always easy as the spinners have their tails up with assistance from the surfaces. Santner was turning the ball square on some occasions while others were coming in with the angle.

“When he comes to the crease, the pitches have often favored spin, which is a significant factor. His challenges against spin at the start of his innings haven’t been solely due to mindset but also conditions that aided spinners. This contributed to the dismissals of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli to the left-arm spin of Glenn Phillips, who was brought on as a strategic move. Even the best modern-day batters find these situations tricky,” Kumble explained.

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Kohli’s record against spin bowlers has been alarming in recent times. In 26 innings across Asia since 2021, he has aggregated just 606 runs at an average of 28.85 and a strike rate of 49.67. He has been dismissed by the tweakers on 21 occasions, validating his struggles against them. With Kohli struggling at home, India’s batting woes continued in the second Test, with the team being bowled out for 156, handing New Zealand a first-innings lead of 103 runs.

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