Virat Kohli struggled to get going in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai as he was dismissed cheaply in both the innings. His season not beginning on an ideal note, Kohli was sweating it out in the India nets ahead of the second Test to be played in Kanpur from Friday, but the signs aren’t promising. As per a report, the batting superstar was repeatedly outfoxed by fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and he struggled against the left-arm spin of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel too.
According to The Indian Express, Bumrah claimed to have dismissed Kohli ‘four times’ in the 10 deliveries that he bowled to his teammate. The former India captain though started well but then the ace fast bowler began testing his teammate by changing his line and length.
Kohli was trapped LBW with Bumrah informing him “saamne laga hai (This is plumb) and the batter reportedly agreed. Later, he induced edges on multiple occasions with the bowler claiming one of them would have been caught at short leg.
Kohli then turned to the spinners as he took guard against the left-arm duo of Axar and Jadeja. More frustration was in store.
He repeatedly was beaten on the edge by Jadeja and Axar even got one to go through the gate to have him clean bowled before he left the nets.
Kohli made 6 and 17 in the two innings of the first Test in Chennai which India went on to win by 280 runs. This was the second Test for Kohli in 2024 after the South Africa tour as he missed the England series at home for personal reasons.
India will want Kohli in top shape as they are set to tour Australia later this year for the Border Gavaskar Trophy and it could prove crucial in deciding whether they make it to the final of the ICC World Test Championship.
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