Virat Kohli’s struggles with the bat have emerged as a major factor in India’s recent Test series loss to New Zealand — India’s first home Test series defeat since 2012. Kohli, who once dominated the field from 2012 to 2019, has been unable to replicate that form in the last four years. With just two Test centuries since 2020, both of which came in 2023 against Australia and West Indies, Kohli’s current form has raised questions among fans and experts alike.
Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik addressed Kohli’s recurring issues against spin, emphasizing that spinners have consistently troubled the star batter. “Virat Kohli has not had it easy; the series has not been good to him. In three out of four innings, he has disappointed. It’s obviously a recurring pattern where spinners have troubled him,” Karthik observed. He highlighted Kohli’s need to devise a new game plan, particularly on spin-friendly Indian pitches. “India likes to play on pitches that aid spin, so what is his game plan?” he questioned.
Karthik believes that Kohli’s approach to handling spinners needs reassessment, as his struggles are now part of a concerning pattern. Kohli’s quest to find answers reflects the challenges that even top athletes face as they navigate periods of decline in form.
In addition, DK suggested that Kohli should consider returning to domestic cricket to rebuild the confidence and rhythm that once made him one of the world’s top batters. This strategic step, according to Karthik, could be instrumental in helping Kohli rediscover his dominant form and return to the international stage with renewed confidence and technical finesse.
