“That is a very rare thing for Virat Kohli to do” - Sanjay Manjrekar points out key aspect of Virat Kohli after failures in BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar pointed to out-of-form batter Virat Kohli going deep inside his crease to combat his outside off-stump weakness in the second innings of the ongoing fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. Kohli has been battling woeful Test form and struggling against the nagging outside off-stump line against pacers throughout the series.

On Day 2 of the Sydney Test, he was dismissed by nicking a delivery behind the stumps for an eighth time in ten innings. Kohli scored only 6 from 12 deliveries after his 69-ball 17 in the first innings.

His overall series tally reads a dismal 190 runs at an average of 23.75, with a 50+ score (second innings century at Perth) in nine innings.

Talking about Kohli's all-too-similar dismissal post the close of play on Day 2, Manjrekar said on Star Sports (via India Today):

“Lots of greats have gone through a rut, but not in the fashion where they've got out to one particular shot and the great has not been able to find a way. There's another quick point I want to make if you see that dismissal and you've got to feel for Virat Kohli. There were occasions when he was trying to leave balls outside the off on this occasion, after many years, you see that he's actually deep inside the batting crease. Now that is a very rare thing for Virat Kohli to do."

He added:

"I mean, he's gone back and he's inside the batting crease. You know, Virat Kohli loves getting outside the batting crease going forward. He's tried everything within his, you know, capabilities and on this occasion he tried being inside the batting crease, same result. What do you do?"

Kohli has endured a torrid time in Tests since 2020, scoring only three centuries at an average of under 31 in 39 outings.

Sydney Test hangs in the balance despite Virat Kohli's twin failures

Team India and Australia have played out a thrilling first two days to leave the fifth Test at Sydney hanging in the balance.

After Jasprit Bumrah's Men were bowled out for only 185 in their first innings, the bowlers came out all guns blazing. India shot Australia out for 181 to capture a four-run first innings lead. The unusually green Sydney track continued playing tricks as the Indian batters struggled again in the second innings to finish Day 2 on 141/6 with an overall lead of 145.

With Australia leading the five-match series 2-1, the winner of this contest will lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ( India being the current holders).