Struggling Through a Lean Patch
Former Indian captain and coach Anil Kumble has expressed his concerns about Virat Kohli’s current form in white-ball cricket, suggesting that the pressure and expectations on the star batter are causing him to try too hard. Since the 2023 World Cup, Kohli has managed only 137 runs in six ODI innings, with just one half-century to his name. His performance in India’s first game of the Champions Trophy 2025, where he scored 22 runs off 38 balls before being dismissed by Bangladesh legspinner Rishad Hossain in Dubai, has further raised eyebrows. Kumble believes that the combination of high expectations and the pressure to perform has led Kohli to put undue emphasis on his every action on the field, making it difficult for him to find his rhythm and confidence.
The Pressure of Expectations
Kumble highlighted the psychological burden that players who have "been there and done that" often carry, especially those who are considered the linchpins of their teams. "You have that in players who have been there and done that before and everyone sort of looks up to you saying he’s the guy who’s going to take the game away and he’s the one guy who is the important man in the team," Kumble explained. "When you have that kind of pressure and you have that kind of expectation, you suddenly start putting undue importance to all of that and then try hard to do well. When you do that, you’re not really relaxed." The best performances, both in batting and bowling, often come when the player is not preoccupied with the weight of expectations but is instead focused on playing naturally and instinctively.
Battling Against Spin
One noticeable trend in Kohli’s recent dismissals is his struggle against spin bowling. In his last six dismissals, five have come to legspinners. Kumble attributes this to Kohli’s over-eagerness to score runs rather than working the ball around the field. "To start off against spin, on surfaces like that, you need a lot of confidence. He’s certainly trying too hard to maneuver that," Kumble observed. Kohli’s usual approach to spin bowling involves playing patiently, knocking singles, and rotating the strike. However, the current pressure seems to have altered his game plan, leading him to take more risks that often result in his dismissal.
Confidence and Big Hitting
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar added another dimension to the analysis, suggesting that Kohli is no longer the player capable of big hitting that he once was. "He’s in a tight corner, Virat Kohli. His confidence is still down," Manjrekar said. "He wants to still show that he’s up there for a fight, and I am starting to see maybe there’s a little bit of bravado as well, and why not? You can’t be revealing what’s inside you." Manjrekar noted that players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill still possess the ability to take aggressive risks and hit big shots, which adds to the pressure on Kohli. The post-Australia slip, where Kohli struggled with just 90 runs in eight innings, has further eroded his confidence, making it hard for him to summon the power and courage needed for big hits.
Adapting to Tough Surfaces
Manjrekar also pointed out that the surfaces Kohli is facing are not helping his cause. "What kind of a surface is he going to get for the next two matches? Surfaces that you would hate batting on. Slow, turning pitches. So it’s not helping his cause either." Kohli’s performance is further challenged by the nature of these pitches, which tend to be slow and turn, making it even more difficult for him to find his form. Manjrekar recalled a comment from a few years back, suggesting that a player’s luck starts to run out as they age. This sentiment is particularly poignant for Kohli, who has been one of the most successful batters in the world for over a decade.
The Road to Redemption
Despite the current struggles, both Kumble and Manjrekar believe that Kohli has the potential to find his way out of this slump. Kumble emphasized the need for Kohli to relax and play with the freedom that has characterized his best performances. "He just needs to not worry about it. Rohit [Sharma] comes in there, has the freedom because there is plenty of batting and all of them are in great form. Similarly for Virat, he just needs to come in and not worry about anything else." Manjrekar echoed this sentiment, suggesting that if Kohli can regain his confidence and adapt to the conditions, he might find another peak in his career. "But if he finds a way out of this and he finds another peak of Virat Kohli, that will tell you a lot more about the man and how he’s built," Manjrekar concluded. The upcoming matches in the Champions Trophy will be crucial in determining whether Kohli can overcome these challenges and return to his dominant best.
