During India‘s practice session ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh, a rare moment unfolded when Virat Kohli, one of the world’s finest batters, was dismissed not once but twice by a young net bowler. The fast bowler, Jamshed Alam, from Lucknow, bowled in the mid-130s, troubling Kohli and delivering two crucial blows during the session. Despite this, Kohli’s reaction was what stole the show.
Even though Kohli is enduring a rough patch, especially following scores of 6 and 17 in the first Test, his character shone through when he appreciated Alam’s performance. After the dismissals, Kohli approached the 22-year-old bowler and asked, “Kitne saal ke ho?” (How old are you?), followed by words of encouragement: “Mehnat karte raho” (Keep working hard).
Alam, thrilled with the encounter, shared his excitement, stating, “I bowled 24 balls to Virat Kohli. My speed was around 135 kmph, and I got him out twice. Kohli said ‘Well bowled bhai’ and asked my age. I am over the moon after dismissing him.”
Steve Smith Praises Kohli’s Aggressive Approach ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024
Kohli’s Current Form Worries Fans
Kohli’s struggles in the nets were evident as he faced not just Alam but also India’s premier bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. While Kohli has had some rough patches recently, he looked slightly off balance even before the Chennai game, struggling against another net bowler, Gurnoor Brar. In both the practice sessions and the middle, Kohli’s discomfort has been visible.
In the first Test against Bangladesh, Kohli’s vulnerabilities were exposed as he fell to two familiar modes of dismissal. He edged Hasan Mahmud to the keeper in the first innings and was trapped LBW by off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the second innings—a reminder of his long-standing issues against spin bowling.
Kohli’s Comeback Vital for India
Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains key to India’s fortunes in the remainder of the series. With three Tests to go before the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the team is counting on Kohli to rediscover his form. After a stellar performance in the ODI World Cup, where he was India’s top run-scorer, Kohli’s inconsistency since then, particularly in the T20 World Cup, has raised questions about his form.
India’s hopes of securing a place in the World Test Championship final hinge on Kohli regaining his momentum, and all eyes will be on the star batter as he looks to put his recent struggles behind him.
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