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'Virat Compounded His Problems': Manjrekar Slams Kohli's Technique After Chinnaswamy Duck

Virat Kohli's stubbornness to play on the front-foot play has often cost him his wicket ]Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Virat Kohli's stubbornness to play on the front-foot play has often cost him his wicket ]Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

Following Virat Kohli’s early dismissal for a nine-ball duck in the first Test against New Zealand, cricket analyst and former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar didn’t hold back in his assessment of Kohli’s approach. The Indian veteran pointed out the flaw in the star batter's technique that is causing him to lose his wicket.

Sanjay Manjrekar’s Insight on Kohli’s Dismissal Highlights Technical Flaws

In a tweet that sparked debate, Manjrekar stated that Virat Kohli’s insistence on playing off the front foot, a factor he believes is adding fuel to the fire of his struggles.

In his tweet, Manjrekar stated, “Have said this before, will say it again. Virat has compounded his problems by wanting to be on the front foot to every ball. No matter the length. Today’s dismissal ball could have been comfortably tackled off the back foot.”

The critique points to a trend that has seen Kohli caught off-guard on multiple occasions, as he has continued to approach deliveries with a front-foot-heavy mindset, even when the situation may demand a more cautious, back-foot approach.

Kohli’s Stubborn Front-Foot Play Proving Costly

Kohli’s dismissal today, courtesy of William O’Rourke, was a classic case in point. The Kiwi bowler, standing tall, delivered a short-length ball that reared up around off stump. Kohli’s decision to commit forward resulted in a glove edge to backward short leg, a mode of dismissal that could have been avoided had he opted for the back foot.

Manjrekar’s words resonate with fans and critics who have noticed Kohli’s reluctance to adjust his approach, a stubbornness that has cost him valuable runs in recent innings.

While Kohli’s technique has been a thing of beauty over the years, especially when driving on the front foot, Manjrekar’s tweet has opened the floodgates of scrutiny.

Will the Master Bat Adjust His Technique?

Meanwhile, as he heads into the second innings, a tactical tweak might be just what the doctor ordered. If he can heed Sanjay Manjrekar’s advice and adjust his stance based on the length, Kohli may well rediscover the form that made him a juggernaut in world cricket.

As the crowd in Bengaluru awaits his return, the question remains: will Kohli’s pride give way to pragmatism, allowing him to strike a balance between instinct and strategy? Fans and critics alike will be watching closely, hopeful that this front-foot enthusiast finds a middle ground to make his mark in this Test series.