Virat Kohli Faces Harsh Backlash After Disappointing Start To Border-Gavaskar Trophy: ‘Walking Wicket’

Virat Kohli, once the cornerstone of India’s batting line-up, has been feeling the weight of expectation heading into the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With a remarkable Test career average of over 50 and six centuries from just 13 matches, he was expected to deliver big in the series opener against Australia. But things didn’t go as planned. Kohli was dismissed for just five runs by Josh Hazlewood, a failure that adds to the growing doubts about his current form. His performance, or lack thereof, has sparked a fresh wave of questions from fans and critics alike: can the former captain rediscover his touch?

The past few years have been challenging for Kohli. After a long stretch without a century, he seems to have lost the dominance that once defined his game. This has fueled discussions about his place in the team, especially with the prospect of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy being his final chance to prove himself at the highest level. If his form continues to falter, Kohli’s position in the side may come under serious threat. His early dismissal, alongside India’s precarious position at 36-3, has only added to the pressure.

Kohli’s fall was part of a wider collapse for India on the first day of the Test. Opening batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal both went for ducks, leaving the team in a vulnerable spot. India’s top order has been inconsistent, especially in overseas conditions, and this early failure highlights the ongoing problem. With the game hanging in the balance, the team needs to rally and recover quickly to avoid a larger setback.

India’s team selection for the first Test was a gamble in itself, with some surprising decisions. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, two of India’s most reliable spinners, were dropped in favor of Washington Sundar. The rationale behind this was Australia’s heavy left-handed batting lineup, and Sundar’s batting ability made him a more attractive option. His selection over Ashwin also came down to his superior ability with the bat, which India felt was important for the series.

The selectors also handed a debut to Dhruv Jurel, opting for him over Sarfaraz Khan, who had been in great form. Jurel had impressed during the practice games, scoring two half-centuries against Australia A, and this earned him a spot in the XI. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill’s absence due to a thumb injury saw Devdutt Padikkal step in as his replacement. These changes reflected India’s attempt to experiment with their line-up, hoping to find the right balance for the series.

The stakes for India in this Border-Gavaskar Trophy are incredibly high. They need to win the series to keep their World Test Championship (WTC) final hopes alive. A 4-0 win would secure their place in the final without relying on other results, but even a 3-1 or 3-2 win might not be enough without favorable outcomes elsewhere. For Kohli and the team, this is a defining moment. They must dig deep and rise to the occasion if they are to secure the series win and keep their WTC dream intact.

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By Culture, India vs Australia, Post, Virat Kohli