Virat Kohli brutally exposed in India Nets ahead of the 2nd Test vs Bangladesh
Virat Kohli is currently going through a difficult time in his career. The star India batter struggled during the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai and was dismissed for low scores in both the innings.
Ahead of the second Test of the series in Kanpur, Virat Kohli's poor form was again exposed by India's quality bowlers. While Kohli struggled against the skill of Jasprit Bumrah, he also struggled against India's left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
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"Saamne laga hai" - Jasprit Bumrah to Virat Kohli in the nets
The Indian Express reported that Virat Kohli struggled against both fast bowling and spin in the nets.
Firstly, Kohli played Bumrah for around 15 balls in the nets but did not appear comfortable at all. After playing his trademark cover drive and a few comfortable shots, Kohli was hit flush on the pads by Bumrah.
The fast bowler let out a convincing shout of “Saamne laga hai (You are plumb)” and Kohli accepted it as well. It was not a great sight from Virat Kohli's viewpoint who is normally good off his pads. But his low confidence seemed to be getting the better of him.
If this was not enough, Bumrah continued to trouble Kohli later as well. The 30-year-old quick bowled a shorter length and got the batter to edge one behind. He trapped Kohli on a couple of occasions further as the ball took his inside edge.
Jasprit Bumrah was all over Kohli in the nets as he smiled and said, “Aakhiri wala toh short leg ka catch tha (The short leg would have caught that last one).”
Most of the batters in the world currently would struggle facing Jasprit Bumrah given the form he is in right now. Kohli, too, had a tough time facing the skillful India fast bowler.
Virat Kohli's struggles continue against Indian spinners
While Kohli struggled against Bumrah, he was expected to be in a better state against the Indian spinners.
But his struggles continued here as well. Kohli missed the inside-out shot to Jadeja on three successive occasions and appeared disappointed with himself.
If this was not enough, he was further bowled by the left-arm spinner Axar Patel later in the day. With that dismissal, the 35-year-old was done for the day.
Kohli's poor form is a huge cause of concern for India, who have a big red-ball season ahead. Kohli scored 6 and 17 across both the innings of Chennai Test.
His mode of dismissals were something that would worry him and the team management as he was dismissed by both the fast bowler and the spinner each time.
After the series against Bangladesh, India will host a three-match Test series against New Zealand. But the main focus will be on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year where Australia will host India for a five-match Test series.
Kohli's form in Test cricket hasn't been great over the years. He also missed India's last Test series against England at home due to personal reasons. India will want its No. 4 Test batter to return to form soon.
