Virat Kohli’s Cover Drive: What changed in his cover drive technique since 2014?

Virat Kohli’s Cover Drive: What changed in his cover drive technique since 2014? (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

When India embarked on the tour of Australia in November 2024 to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, fans had high hopes for Virat Kohli, who has had surreal success Down Under in the past. Before the recently-concluded series, the former India captain had a stunning average of 54.08 from 13 matches. However, he only managed 190 runs from five games in the 2024-25 tour at an average of 23.75.

Kohli’s struggles with the Cover Drive and Off-Stump issues

Virat Kohli and Mitchell Starc. (Photo Source: Disney+Hotstar)

There was a pattern to Kohli’s dismissals during the series, as he was found wanting against deliveries outside the off-stump. The right-handed batter was getting lured into playing cover drives, which has been a double-edged sword for him over the years. While there are very few sights more captivating in the game of cricket than Kohli’s cover drive, it has also led to his downfall on several occasions during his illustrious career.

A look back at the England tour nightmare of 2014

Virat Kohli Cover Drive in 2014 (Source: ECB)

To analyse Kohli’s struggles outside the off-stump, it is important to rewind to the England tour in 2014. James Anderson and his fellow pacers worked the legendary batter out as they peppered him with deliveries in the channel outside the off-stump which would time and again take the outside edge through to the wicketkeeper or the fielders in the slip cordon. Kohli, who was 25 years old back then, managed just 134 runs from 10 innings at an average of 13.40. Anderson dismissed him four times during the series.

Kohli’s had an across-the-crease stance and his head would fall outside the off-stump. He wasn’t judging the line of his off-stump correctly and playing at deliveries he could have left alone.

Kohli’s redemption masterclass in England, 2018

Virat Kohli Cover Drive in 2018 (Source: Twitter)

However, on his next Test tour to England in 2018, the Delhi-born showed why he is considered one of the finest batters of all time, making subtle adjustments to his technique to finish as the highest run-scorer by a distance.

Kohli amassed 593 runs from 10 innings at a staggering average of 59.30. He scored three half-centuries during the series. How did Kohli turn things around? The talismanic batter opted for a wider-open stance and aligned his head with the line of off-stump. He was more assured with his footwork and those classy cover drives once again mesmerised the cricket fraternity.

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Kohli’s ongoing technique adjustments over the years

However, in 2022, Kohli changed his stance once again. This time, his head would shift towards the leg-stump line and he also opened himself up ever so slightly. He averaged just 26.50 from 11 innings in 2022.

What went wrong on the Australia tour 2024-25?

Virat Kohli being caught by Beau Webster (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

On the recent Australia tour, Kohli tweaked his stance once again. He took a middle-stump guard and stood a long way out of his crease. This didn’t help his cause as his average in Australia dropped to 46.72.

Will Kohli redeem himself again?

With the England tour coming up later this year, it will be interesting to see how the champion cricketer addresses the issues he had in Australia. His problems with deliveries outside the off-stump started back in 2014. Will England be able to bring those nightmares back for him or will he redeem himself once again like he did in 2018?

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