IND v NZ 2024, 2nd Test: Virat’s ‘un-Kohli’ shot draws flak as batting great’s struggle against spin continues

Virat Kohli is a batting great, but even the best of the best have some weaknesses. Although his itchiness to play the fourth-stump line has always been a prominent advantage point for the opposition, Virat’s struggle against spin is the newest addition to the list. Against New Zealand during the ongoing second Test in Pune, Virat played a very ‘un-Kohli’ kind of shot against Mitchell Santner, resulting in yet another single-digit score in this series.

Coming onto bat at his usual number four position, Kohli got some bangers early on, with the orthodox left-arm spinner looking dangerous. Just eight balls into his first innings, Kohli tried sweeping a flighted delivery, missing it altogether and getting bowled on just one run.

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The look on his face told the entire story, and so did the silence in Pune stadium. Rather than looking stunned by the quality of delivery, which often leaves him startled, the batting great looked disappointed with his shot selection.

His dismissal, however, sparked a collapse for the Indian Team, which got all out on 156, with Santner returning with his best Test figures of seven for 53. Though Jadeja tried saving the sinking ship with his counterattack cameo, New Zealand’s bowling was too good for India, who, for the nth time, seemed to fall into their trap once again.

Watch Virat Kohli’s dismissal –

His wicket also unearthed a staggering stat - this was Virat’s 21st dismissal to spin out of 26 in Asia since 2021. Out of these 21 dismissals, ten have been to the left-arm spinners, making him the walking wicket for the lefties.

The fans took to social media, expressing their displeasure at watching Virat getting dismissed in such a manner. While some couldn’t believe what Virat did out there, the former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar called this his ‘worst shot of the career’.

“Oh dear! Virat will know himself that he has just played the worst shot of his career to get out. Got to feel for him…coz as always he came out with solid & honest intent,” Manjrekar posted on X.

Meanwhile, New Zealand leads the three-match series 1-0.

(With inputs from agencies)