Former India head coach Anil Kumble recently commented on Virat Kohli’s preparation for the ongoing Test season, suggesting that participation in domestic cricket could have been beneficial. Kumble’s remarks came after Kohli’s surprising dismissal on Day 2 of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, where the star batter managed just one run before falling to a low full toss by Mitchell Santner.
During India’s first innings, Kohli’s dismissal left fans and experts stunned. Attempting a shot across the line, he misjudged a low full toss from Santner, resulting in his stumps being rattled. The moment was described by commentators as one of the most “un-Kohli” dismissals, with the usually composed batsman visibly shocked. Kohli’s wicket was part of a larger Indian batting collapse before lunch, with the team losing six wickets for just 53 runs and being bowled out for 156.
Kumble, speaking on JioCinema, suggested that Kohli might have benefitted from playing domestic cricket to better prepare for the challenges of the upcoming Test calendar. He noted that while this wasn’t necessarily the sole factor behind Kohli’s dismissal or struggles, facing domestic bowlers could have allowed him more time to adjust his technique, especially against spin.
