Virat Kohli’s dismissal raises questions about his technique as India under pressure in the WTC Final on Day 3

During Virat Kohli’s dismissal off Mitchell Starc’s delivery, there was a difference of opinion regarding the nature of the ball’s bounce. While it appeared to many that the ball had sharply risen from a good length, cricket commentator Sanjay Manjrekar had a contrasting view based on the pitch map analysis.

Manjrekar pointed out that the ball had actually pitched halfway down the pitch, indicating it was a short ball. He expressed his concern regarding Kohli’s batting approach, highlighting his tendency to stay on the front foot regardless of the delivery length. According to Manjrekar, the problem lies in Kohli’s inability to adjust his footwork and play on the back foot when facing such deliveries.

In Manjrekar’s opinion, a ball rising sharply from a good length can be a challenging delivery for most batsmen who are committed to playing on the front foot. However, he believes that being on the front foot against a delivery like the one Kohli faced, which pitched halfway down the pitch, leaves the batsman vulnerable. Once the ball unexpectedly rears up while the batsman is committed to the front foot, the chances of successfully negotiating it diminish significantly.

Manjrekar’s analysis sheds light on his preference for back foot play in such situations, as it allows batsmen to adjust to the bounce and counter short-pitched deliveries more effectively. Kohli’s reaction, where he was caught on the front foot, further supports Manjrekar’s argument.