Virat Kohli's recent struggles against spin in Test cricket have raised questions, especially after his surprising dismissal against New Zealand in Pune.
Kohli was bowled for just one run by Mitchell Santner in the second Test, leaving the crowd stunned. Former India head coach Anil Kumble believes playing domestic cricket could have helped Kohli face the challenges of spin better this season.
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With spinners regularly troubling him, Kumble suggests that match practice in domestic games might have prepared Kohli more effectively. His comments reignited a debate over whether senior players like Kohli benefit from playing in domestic matches to build rhythm for the international season.
Let’s explore Kumble’s views and the reasoning behind his suggestion.
What did Anil Kumble say about Virat Kohli’s preparation?
Speaking after Kohli’s dismissal, Kumble highlighted that while Kohli has extensive practice, match experience in domestic games can provide a different advantage.
“Perhaps just one or two innings in a match situation could have helped. Being in an actual game is more beneficial than just practice; it gives an upper hand,” said Kumble.
Kumble added that missing domestic games isn’t the sole reason behind Kohli’s struggles with spin. He pointed out that Kohli’s early struggles against spin have also been influenced by pitch conditions.
With spin-friendly pitches and Kohli often coming to the crease in challenging situations, he has faced difficulties right from the start.
“When he comes to the crease, the pitches have often favored spin, which plays a big role,” Kumble observed.
What is Virat Kohli’s record against spin?
In the last three years, Kohli’s batting average against spinners in Asia has dropped to 28, and he has been dismissed by spinners 21 times in 26 innings. Left-arm orthodox spinners, like Santner, have especially troubled him, accounting for 10 of those dismissals.
Kumble said that these challenges reflect both the quality of spinners and the tough conditions on the pitch that make timing and shot selection difficult. He also referenced the recent dismissals of Kohli and Shubman Gill by New Zealand’s left-arm spinner, Glenn Phillips. The use of spin as a strategy has forced Kohli and other top-order batters to adapt quickly.
Let's take a look at Virat Kohli Test stats in Asia since 2021.
| Innings | Runs | Average | Dismissal |
| 26 | 606 | 28.85 | 21 |
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Why didn’t Virat Kohli play domestic cricket?
Many players, including some Indian regulars, played in the Duleep Trophy last month to gain match practice before the Test season. However, senior players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma were not included.
The BCCI was cautious, likely looking to prevent any injuries before the international season. Former cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar have since voiced that match practice in domestic games could benefit players, even seniors.
Kumble’s comments raise an important question about the role of domestic cricket in preparing players like Kohli for the rigors of Test cricket. As India prepares for more Test series on spin-friendly pitches, Kumble’s advice may provide useful insights into improving batting consistency against spin.
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