Matthew Hayden hands 'Sachin Tendulkar' plan to Virat Kohli to conquer outside off-stump woes

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has urged Virat Kohli to adopt a more disciplined approach, similar to what Sachin Tendulkar did in the 2004 Sydney Test, where the Master Blaster kept himself away from playing any cover drives against Australia.

The Indian batting icon scored a century in the Perth Test against Australia, but since then he has continued to struggle with chasing deliveries outside the off-stump, a flaw that led to his dismissals in the Adelaide Test and Brisbane Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Matthew Hayden urges Virat Kohli to emulate Sachin Tendulkar’s discipline for the Boxing Day Test

Since his ton in Perth, Virat Kohli’s form has dipped, as he scored 7, 11, and 3 in his next three innings in the ongoing five-match Test series, which is currently tied 1-1 between India and Australia. They are now gearing up for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne.

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Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, starting on December 26, Matthew Hayden said that the upcoming Melbourne encounter presents a good batting track for Virat Kohli and suggested him to avoid flashing at deliveries outside the off-stump to score runs in the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Hayden, the former Australian opener and current commentator, has further suggested that the Indian cricket team superstar should focus on getting in line with the ball and playing more along the ground to improve his consistency and overcome the rough phase with the bat.

He’s going to have a good batting track in Melbourne: Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden said on Star Sports: “He’s going to have a good batting track in Melbourne. What Virat Kohli does need to do is find a way to continue staying at the crease. Flashing outside the off-stump is something that he’s going to have to resist. And I suggest he gets in line with the ball a bit more and looks to play down the ground a little bit more.”

Furthermore, Hayden praised Kohli’s cover drive but suggested he must take a lesson from Sachin Tendulkar, who put away his cover drive during a tough patch in the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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He recalled how Tendulkar focused on other areas of his game, played patiently, and addressed his weaknesses by avoiding chasing deliveries outside the off-stump throughout his entire 613-minute innings in Sydney.

Hayden says Kohli has the ‘Personality’ to bounce back like Sachin Tendulkar

The former Australian cricketer also believes that Kohli has the same determination, and he is confident the dashing right-hander will show that in Melbourne. He noted, “I know he (Kohli) has a magnificent cover driver, but so did Sachin Tendulkar, and he put it away for a day. I sat in the gully licking my lips, thinking, you know what, this is magnificent, stubborn batting. I didn’t look like getting a catch that day, and yet I felt like I was in the game that entire series.”

Hayden signed off by saying, “So, Sachin put away the cover drive, worked his way into the innings, hit off his legs beautifully, took on the spin, and addressed the areas of concern. He put a big cross through them and said, ‘Not on my watch today.’ Virat Kohli has got that personality, and I’m sure we’ll see it in Melbourne.”