Melbourne: Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli once again failed to find his rhythm against Australia, succumbing to the familiar offside trap in the first ODI. Kohli’s dismissal, following Rohit Sharma’s earlier departure, left fans and experts alike expressing concern over his recurring vulnerability.
Kohli’s struggle with deliveries targeting the offside has been well-documented. For years, bowlers have exploited this gap in his technique, and recent encounters suggest the problem persists. Today, it was Mitchell Starc who delivered the decisive blow a high-bouncing ball angling to the offside, which Kohli could not negotiate. His failure to adapt to this tactic raises serious questions about India’s approach against quality fast bowling.
The pattern is strikingly familiar. During the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli fell multiple times more than five instances to similar offside deliveries. Despite clear evidence of his susceptibility, Kohli seems unable to recalibrate his technique effectively. Fans watching the first ODI today were reminded of those past struggles, as the same trap claimed him early yet again.
India’s innings were cut short by early wickets, leaving the team in a precarious position at 37 for 3 after 11.5 overs. Alongside Kohli’s dismissal for zero, Rohit Sharma managed 8, while Shubman Gill contributed 10 runs before also falling prey to disciplined Australian bowling. The match was subsequently interrupted due to rain, adding uncertainty to India’s recovery chances.
Kohli’s repeated vulnerability to offside deliveries could have serious ramifications for India’s middle-order stability. As the team looks to post a competitive total against a strong Australian attack, questions remain over how quickly Kohli can adjust his technique and overcome this long-standing weakness.
Cricket analysts and fans are now closely watching, hoping for a strategic tweak from the Indian camp, as Kohli’s struggles in the offside region have once again become a focal point of discussion in this high-stakes ODI series.