Team India reached the Caribbean soil earlier this month, and after getting rid of jet lags for two days, the Indian team began their practice for the Test match which is scheduled to start by July 12 in Dominica. Indian cricketers arrived on the Caribbean soil nine days before the first Test, giving them the perfect opportunity to practice their abilities in a match-like simulation in Barbados.
The top-order batsmen (Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane) and front-line bowlers (Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja) were split into two separate sides for the first of those match simulations.
Unless they were dismissed, the hitters entered the plate in pairs. Following solid performances from Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the opening session, Kohli and Shubman Gill stepped up to the plate to bat in the following session. However, Kohli’s time in the middle was brief since Jaydev Unadkat removed him early.
Virat Kohli's dismissal in the practice match in Barbados today. Jaydev Unadkat claimed his wicket. #WIvIND
Video courtesy: Vimal Kumar pic.twitter.com/IltleUGgwy
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 5, 2023
But the problem of Virat Kohli’s form with the red ball has been a problem for the Indian team for quite some time now. It is nothing new for Virat Kohli to struggle against the fourth or fifth stump line. With that strategy, bowlers from all over the world have targeted India great with some degree of success.
Like a lot of other Indian top-order hitters, Kohli is not at his best early in his innings against left-arm seamers. Both factors contributed to Kohli’s downfall in India’s first practice game on the eve of the West Indies Tests.
In the match also, the former captain of India got off to a comfortable start against Ravindra Jadeja, and it seemed like he had everything under control even when Unadkat tried to bring the ball in or angle it away from over the wicket.
Unadkat pitched one just holding its line after round the fourth stump and moving further away. Instead of making a decisive foot movement when he should have gone forward or back, Kohli ended up pushing the ball with his hands. The second slip fielder took a secure catch while holding the outer edge in his hands.
Here is how Twitter reacted to this dismissal of Kohli;
Marco Jansen exactly dismissed him that way repeatedly Those lines were 8th stump lines. Anderson, Jamieson many guys know you just have to bowl outside the off stump. Eventually Kohli will fish one to slip. 1050 crores won't help fix his technique. It is love for the game do.
— EthanHunt (@ethanhunt2026) July 5, 2023
Again again and again !! Flirting at 5th – 6th stump.
— Saket Gupta (@gupta_saket) July 6, 2023
Even after so many years in Int cricket, can play a cut shot🤦🏽♂️
— Mandar (@Mandarshinde008) July 6, 2023
Kohli averages 28 in tests since 2019. It is heartbreaking to see king's demise and struggles 💔
— Kim Yung Lee (@jniinj) July 6, 2023
Haha ab to bacche bacche ko pata h out side off stump & gone 🤣🤣
— Rohit Bector (@rohit_bector) July 6, 2023
15 yrs of international cricket and still same way of getting out… bowl him outside off and he is gone.. and they call him GOAT…
— kaju_katli (@bot_4_retweet) July 6, 2023
Outside off again!! Good sign
— Mihir Bajekal 🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@BajekalMihir) July 6, 2023
Again on 4th 5th stump
— Nuzaik (@ZaikSpeaks) July 6, 2023
Ye slip mein catch deny sy baaz nhi ayega.
— umair (@xdselenophile) July 6, 2023
