Virat Kohli's Struggles and De Villiers' Advice

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers offered some insightful advice to his close friend and star Indian batter Virat Kohli, who has been facing a challenging period in his cricketing career. Kohli's recent struggles were evident during India's tour of Australia, where he faced difficulties against deliveries outside off-stump, particularly from pacer Scott Boland.

India's loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia, after a 10-year winning streak, highlighted Kohli's struggles. He managed only 190 runs in nine innings, with an average of 23.75. While his century at the Perth Test offered a glimmer of hope, his subsequent performances were disappointing.

In a video posted on X, De Villiers suggested that Kohli needs to "reset his mind" and avoid getting caught up in on-field battles with individual players. He emphasized the importance of focusing on each ball as an independent event and detaching from the bowler.

De Villiers acknowledged Kohli's fighting spirit and his desire to lead the Indian team, but cautioned that this can sometimes be a weakness. He believes that Kohli's involvement in individual battles can be detrimental when he is not in top form.

Kohli's recent statistics reflect his struggles. In the ongoing 2024-25 Test season, he has scored only 382 runs in 10 matches, with an average of 22.87. Since the start of 2020, his overall performance has been below par, with only three centuries and nine fifties in 39 matches.

De Villiers' advice highlights the importance of mental clarity and focus for a batsman, especially during challenging times. It remains to be seen whether Kohli can implement these suggestions and regain his previous form.