“It’s hard to know what’s going on in his mind” - Former Australia cricketer analyzes Virat Kohli’s varied struggles during BGT 2024-25

Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist reckons Virat Kohli is under massive pressure as the microscope is on him after failing to score big in the first innings of the ongoing fourth Test in Melbourne. Gilchrist feels it's hard to understand what is going on in the veteran batter's mind as he tries to overcome his struggles.

Kohli landed in hot waters on day one in Melbourne as he made a shoulder contact with Aussie opener Sam Konstas, inviting criticism from several corners. At the end of the day, the ICC fined him 20% of his match fees and gave a demerit point. Furthermore, he fell to the same pattern of dismissal on day two, edging one outside off-stump, departing for 36.

Speaking on Fox Cricket, Gilchrist remarked that Kohli seems to be feeling plenty of heat, elaborating:

"He’s played such a vast amount of cricket … but he’s really got the microscope on him at the moment. It’s coming from all angles. The crowd are giving him a huge serve, he probably feels the media are giving him a huge serve as well. When he got out yesterday he had a little reaction with someone in the crowd when he walked off. It’s hard to know what’s going on in his mind, but he’s still being challenged by all the aspects of being in the spotlight."

A section of fans also blamed the former Indian skipper for the terrible mix-up that resulted in Yashasvi Jaiswal's run-out. With Kohli falling soon after, his concentration likely took a backseat due to Jaiswal's run-out.

"That was really uncalled for" - Sunil Gavaskar on fans booing Virat Kohli after his dismissal

Sunil Gavaskar. (Image Credits: Getty)

Meanwhile, ex-Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar criticized the fans booing Kohli. He said on Channel 7:

"Yeah, I thought that was really uncalled for. Like you said, he has been a great player and, look, he is out now and for you to boo him, the question that I always ask is – what have you done in your own life that you feel that you have the authority to boo an achiever like that? I don’t think that should be the case. That should never, ever have been a situation that Kohli should have been booed."

Day three at the MCG ended with India at 358/9, trailing Australia by 116 runs.