“Technical & starts with an erroneous coaching belief” - Former Proteas batter analyses Virat Kohli’s lean patch in BGT 2024-25

Former South Africa batter Daryll Cullinan believes Virat Kohli's poor Test form over the past few years has stemmed from his questionable technique and setup at the crease. Despite a stellar overall Test record, Kohli's numbers have trended south since the turn of the decade, with the batter averaging a sub-par 31.32 in his last 38 Tests.

The 36-year-old came into the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 on the back of arguably his worst home series, averaging under 16 in three Tests against New Zealand. Kohli began the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a sublime second-innings century in Perth but has struggled since. The champion batter averages only 27.83 in the four Tests played thus far against Australia.

Talking to Hindustan Times about Kohli's Test struggles, Cullinan said:

"Kohli's lack of form is technical and starts with an erroneous coaching belief about the set-up at the crease. The open stance with the front foot retracted back towards the square leg is at fault, and I see it coached around the world today. In red-ball cricket, and note I say red-ball cricket, it's causing major issues for batsmen in defense and attack on and outside off stump."

He added:

"Added to this, Kohli is pressing his front foot straight down the pitch before the ball leaves the bowler's hand. In a millisecond, turn your front shoulder and get your foot moving across towards the ball outside off stump. It's impossible! All you can do then is throw your hands at the ball, which Kohli is doing."

Kohli's overall Test average, which was in the mid-50s in 2019, has dipped to just over 47 due to his poor run in the last five years.

"The reality is that shot against Starc, which got him out, was on" - Daryll Cullinan on Virat Kohli

Australia v India - Men's 2nd Test Match: Day 1 - Source: Getty

Daryll Cullinan added that Virat Kohli was not wrong with his shot selection in the second innings against Mitchell Starc in the recent Melbourne Test.

With India trying to save the Test, Kohli loosely drove at a wide delivery outside the off-stump to be dismissed for five runs, minutes before the Lunch break. While his persistent struggles against the outside-the-off-stump line and the timing of his dismissal were heavily criticized, Cullinan believes Kohli must continue to bat in line with his natural instincts.

"The reality is that shot against Starc, which got him out, was on. The world is saying it's a mental fault. Partly true. You see, we must recognize Kohli's natural instinct is to attack, and he must continue to look to attack. That's when he is at his best. He knows no other way, and he's not going to change now. Asking him to be more disciplined outside off stump will only increase his anxiety levels," Cullinan said in the same interview.

He added:

"The answer for Kohli, is adopting a more side on stance, keeping his head still, and limiting his backlift. The 2018 images illustrate this. He can still make his trigger movements but keep them small. I suggest this method for all red-ball cricket. The reality is that cricket is a sideways game and always will be. It's the old way and still the best way."

Kohli's early dismissal on Day 5 of the Melbourne Test sparked an Indian collapse as they suffered a 184-run defeat to trail the best-of-five series 1-2, with one match remaining.