Virat Kohli given a reality check by Ravi Shastri after dismal form carries on in Hyderabad Test

Former Indian head coach and commentator Ravi Shastri has expressed his concerns with the way Virat Kohli has repeatedly been losing his wicket against the off-spinners after he was trapped LBW out in the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai.

The one nagging issue that continues to haunt the Test career of Virat Kohli is the long battle he has been carrying with off-spin bowling.

Unfortunately, Virat Kohli’s return to Test cricket after seven months has yet again reopened his woes against the deliveries, where the balls pitched outside the off-stump and the risk of facing an off-spinner.

Ravi Shastri raises concerns over Virat Kohli’s struggles against off-spin

Virat Kohli tried to play outside off-stump in the first inning and edged it to the wicketkeeper for 6, and that was the most common mode of dismissal in his career.

But the way the right-hander was dismissed for 17 in the second inning was more frustrating, trapping him LBW off the off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz's fuller-length ball in Chennai.

The ball glanced off his bat, but Kohli decided against taking the review against Bangladesh, which was very baffling for fans and cricket experts.

The former Indian captain has now lost to off-spin 39 times in Test cricket. Bowlers like Moeen Ali and Nathan Lyon capitalized on Kohli’s weakness time and again.

However, Virat Kohli has done pretty well against leg-spinners, but the issue has been off-spin, and Shastri suggested the solution for Kohli to overcome this challenge by involving a lot more at the crease.

The former Team India head coach feels Virat Kohli can do better by making more use of his feet against spinners, coming out of his crease for the ball, and even going that extra mile in terms of shot selection, taking on sweep shots or lofted strokes to rattle the bowler.

He must try to unsettle the spinners rather than allowing them to keep bowling at him: Shastri to Kohli

Recently, the frequency of dismissals has become a pattern, putting pressure on Virat Kohli. He recently appeared relatively more submissive to spin, relying on bowlers to command the game rather than taking the initiative to break the rhythm of bowlers.

Ravi Shastri said on-air in Chennai: “He has [gotten out to spinners] especially in the last 2-3 years. But he has scored a lot of runs too. What you want to see him do more of is use his feet. Get to the pitch of the ball; probably employ the sweep. You’ve got to move with the times; don’t be afraid to go over the top when the field is up. You could try and do things to unsettle the spinners rather than allowing him to keep bowling at you. It’s what he did a lot when he scored a lot of runs.”

Shastri added, “Also, some of the tracks that India have played on. It’s not been easy. Plus, I know a few dismissals where, like Shubman Gill in the first inning, he’s gotten caught down leg wide. Funny dismissals. He’ll be aware of it. That’s for sure. There is no batter who doesn’t remember. Obviously, you find a method of finding a solution. Find out what works for you and stick with that.”