Former South African captain AB de Villiers has shared his insights on how Virat Kohli can overcome his recent struggles with deliveries outside the off-stump.
Virat Kohli's off-side vulnerability became a talking point during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where the Indian batting star faced consistent issues against deliveries outside the off-stump.
Despite a solid century in the opening Test, Kohli managed only 190 runs in five matches, with eight of his nine dismissals coming from balls pitched outside the off-stump.
De Villiers, well-versed in overcoming challenges on the field, provided a thoughtful perspective on Kohli's struggles.
In a live session on his X account, the former Proteas skipper acknowledged that every batter faces certain weaknesses but stressed that the key to overcoming them lies in mental reset and refocusing between deliveries.
"He can absolutely overcome this," de Villiers said. "Every batter has a weakness, and for me, it was the straight ball hitting my pads. I faced it throughout my career, even when I was in the form of my life. The most important thing is to keep resetting your mind after each delivery."
Reflecting on his own experience, de Villiers recalled how he battled English pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad, stating that even in the prime of his career, challenges with certain bowlers were inevitable. However, the crucial element was not dwelling on mistakes but resetting after each ball.
“It's about getting involved in the contest without losing focus,” de Villiers added. "Virat loves the fight, and that’s one of his biggest strengths. But when you're out of form, it’s vital to disconnect from the battles on the field, whether it’s with the bowler or the crowd. You need to realize that each ball is an event on its own and move on."
During the series, Kohli’s frustration was evident, especially in the final innings of the Sydney Test, where India suffered a 1-3 series loss. His engagement in individual battles with Australian players and his emotional responses to the crowd seemed to affect his concentration.
De Villiers suggested that Kohli, who thrives on competitive spirit, should focus solely on the ball and the batting task at hand, leaving aside any distractions.
“Virat’s skill and experience are not in question,” de Villiers affirmed. "It's about resetting your mind after every single ball. He gets involved in the game, and sometimes it becomes a distraction. The key is to come back to the basics of the game, forget the previous ball, and refocus on the next one."
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