Virat Kohli brutally exposed by Australian legend after flop show in Perth innings

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden criticized Indian batter Virat Kohli for his batting technique during the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Matthew Hayden stated that Virat Kohli's approach of batting outside the crease to counter Australian seamers is backfiring for him.

Virat decided to bat outside the crease to counter the Australian bowlers on Day 1 of the Test match at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday, November 22. However, the strategy to counter the excessive seam movement and bounce failed. Virat was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood's extra-bounce delivery.

Virat Kohli Actually Came Out Of His Crease - Matthew Hayden

Speaking to Star Sports, Matthew Hayden said that Virat Kohli's approach forces him to play more deliveries. Hayden pointed out that Kohli can't leave more balls, which increases the risk of dismissals.

“I think what his base or foundation solution to fast bowling units like Australia, exposing just bowling a 6 or even 7 stump line closer to the ball, which meant he actually came out of his crease and batted off stump,” Hayden said on Star Sports.

"But the trouble is when you get yourself into that position, you've also got to maintain that you're allowed to leave the ball. See, when you're in that batting position and you're closer to the ball, it actually means then you're forcing yourself to play at every ball,” he added.

It Doesn't Have To Be Over In A Session - Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden said that Kohli should leave balls in Test cricket, adding that success comes from patience and adapting to conditions over time. Hayden pointed out how Rishabh Pant and Nitish Reddy made scoring easier by spending time at the crease.

“Test match cricket is about how well you leave the ball, not about how well you hit the ball. I mean, you saw the benefits of batting time through the middle. 50 overs this wicket today for India when Nitish Reddy was batting and Rishabh Pant was starting to look easy," Hayden stated.

"You could tell the brow was less furrowed and they were starting to make advances on the game. That's test match cricket. It doesn't have to be over in a session. So to me, there are kind of, I like the strategy actually, definitely not critical of it that way, but you've backed yourself into a corner if you think I've got to hit every part of this now,” he added.

Virat Kohli Dismissed for 5 Runs by Josh Hazlewood on Day 1

Virat Kohli scored just 5 runs off 12 balls as India managed only 150 in their first innings against Australia in Perth. Over his last five Test innings, Kohli has scored only 28 runs, with a top score of 17 against New Zealand. The right-handed batter has an average of just 21.25 in seven outings this year.

Josh Hazlewood took four wickets for 29 runs in the Indian first innings. In response, Australia struggled to 67/7 by stumps on the opening day. Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah starred with the ball to dismantle the Australian batting lineup. The hosts were bowled out for 104 runs in the first session on Day 2.

Also read: Watch: Nitish Kumar Reddy disrespects Pat Cummins; dispatches him for an Uppercut 6