Only here to say that "trying to capture a thunderstorm in a photograph" made me go, Bloody hell, how tf does he do this everytime - which, I suppose, is what a lot of people (used to?) say about Kohli's batting.
One thing I’ve found fascinating throughout my life is the link that seems to exist between the personality of the Indian cricket Captain and Indias place in the global economic order
From the meek Kapil Dev led teams of the late 80s through to the increasing confidence of Sourav Ganguly and his in your face attitude as India started to grow in the 90s the seeds were there. But it became most apparent as the young dynamic tech driven nation of the late aughts early teens was symbolised by their dynamic ultra modern MS Dhoni followed by the more maturely confident and occasionally aggressive late teens/early 20s (on that last one do you know if I’m talking about Kohli or the nation? And does your uncertainty in answering that question potentially prove my point! 😀)
I think what also doesn't help his case is the magnificent bowling he has had to face. The pitches have never been spicier and the bowlers never as threatening as they are today. I hope he recovers from his run of bad form but we as fans should also realign our definition of a comeback. Especially when the standards are the Kohli of 2014-19.
The bowling has been great and the pitches have been spicy, agreed. No question. But, there has to be a difference between Virat Kohli and, say, Ollie Pope yes? We possibly cannot be happy with these returns from an India number 4.
Sure but it's not really under the batters' control beyond a point. It's a function of how many scorable (if that's a word. If not, should it not be? :P) deliveries they get to face. Now a Kohli, despite having a wider range of deliveries to score off than a Pope (one assumes), can give poorer returns.
Yes, he once carried an air of inevitability when it came to scoring big. But it might have been a result of one of the greatest bursts of form that lasted longer than it does for an average player. It's difficult for someone of his class to suddenly develop a new weakness or flaw in technique, as the commentators would have us believe. But it's very much possible for the bowlers to have figured out the balls he finds unscorable (if we're okay with scorable then why not :p) and execute them perfectly.
Having said all of this, the fan in me is still hurt every time he gets out. Can't do anything about it, can we?
Also, Pope is an amazing batter. Poor guy just got dragged into comparison with Kohli.
Also, if I may add, a lot of it isn't in the batter's control, because seaming deliveries at 85 mph are unplayable, but it is fully under Virat's control to not try to heave Mitch Santner into stratosphere, or poke at a clearly wide Mitch Starc delivery 2 minutes before lunch. Or know that Optus will bounce, and a front foot press to a 6'2" Hazlyax is asking for trouble.
Hahaha...about the returns being too low there can't be any disagreement. The numbers are what they are, especially the outside-off ones.
The only thing we can probably do as fans is to take comfort in assuming, and it's not far fetched, that Kohli knows the problem and is doing everything he can to fix it. And also wait for the stars to align once again for him and wonder how fickle greatness in this funny game can be.
Haha, the Pope jibe was a joke. Of course, was not dissing him. I like him.
But I don't necessarily agree with the "it's very tough now" argument, even though I don't disagree with the numbers around seam movement and pitch difficulty. We are essentially infantising an all-time great.
The whole point of being Virat Kohli is that you have to be a bit better than the rest. For the last few years, he hasn't been. He cannot, under any circumstances, be averaging 12 (or 15) in the first innings of Test matches for like a full year. No batter should be allowed to do that. And no argument about "but.. Pat Cummins" suffices. If bowlers have figured you out, it's on you to find a different route. Which, unfortunately, he hasn't.
Wow Sarthak. Unlike Kohli your writing shows no sign of wane. Just brilliant stuff..
For Kohli , I really wish he gets to shine in test cricket again. But I dont think I can bear to watch another compilation of his transgressions outside off stump again..
Only here to say that "trying to capture a thunderstorm in a photograph" made me go, Bloody hell, how tf does he do this everytime - which, I suppose, is what a lot of people (used to?) say about Kohli's batting.
Hahah thank you!
Haha, I was going to comment the SAME thing. Also, "our emperor of batting now stands in threadbare clothing." Ufffffff.
Hahah thank you, Amrita! You both are too kind.
Hate you for saying it. Especially the last line. Would like to counter with “shut up and get lost.”
Hope that wish comes true xD
Will 100% take him coming back to form and me getting trolled endlessly by a city of Kohli-stans lmao
Oh you don't want that. Those people are nuts. But yeah, I would also, as respectfully as possible, say what Maanav said :P
Would happily welcome you both if it means Koach is back in touch xD
One thing I’ve found fascinating throughout my life is the link that seems to exist between the personality of the Indian cricket Captain and Indias place in the global economic order
From the meek Kapil Dev led teams of the late 80s through to the increasing confidence of Sourav Ganguly and his in your face attitude as India started to grow in the 90s the seeds were there. But it became most apparent as the young dynamic tech driven nation of the late aughts early teens was symbolised by their dynamic ultra modern MS Dhoni followed by the more maturely confident and occasionally aggressive late teens/early 20s (on that last one do you know if I’m talking about Kohli or the nation? And does your uncertainty in answering that question potentially prove my point! 😀)
I think what also doesn't help his case is the magnificent bowling he has had to face. The pitches have never been spicier and the bowlers never as threatening as they are today. I hope he recovers from his run of bad form but we as fans should also realign our definition of a comeback. Especially when the standards are the Kohli of 2014-19.
The bowling has been great and the pitches have been spicy, agreed. No question. But, there has to be a difference between Virat Kohli and, say, Ollie Pope yes? We possibly cannot be happy with these returns from an India number 4.
Sure but it's not really under the batters' control beyond a point. It's a function of how many scorable (if that's a word. If not, should it not be? :P) deliveries they get to face. Now a Kohli, despite having a wider range of deliveries to score off than a Pope (one assumes), can give poorer returns.
Yes, he once carried an air of inevitability when it came to scoring big. But it might have been a result of one of the greatest bursts of form that lasted longer than it does for an average player. It's difficult for someone of his class to suddenly develop a new weakness or flaw in technique, as the commentators would have us believe. But it's very much possible for the bowlers to have figured out the balls he finds unscorable (if we're okay with scorable then why not :p) and execute them perfectly.
Having said all of this, the fan in me is still hurt every time he gets out. Can't do anything about it, can we?
Also, Pope is an amazing batter. Poor guy just got dragged into comparison with Kohli.
Also, if I may add, a lot of it isn't in the batter's control, because seaming deliveries at 85 mph are unplayable, but it is fully under Virat's control to not try to heave Mitch Santner into stratosphere, or poke at a clearly wide Mitch Starc delivery 2 minutes before lunch. Or know that Optus will bounce, and a front foot press to a 6'2" Hazlyax is asking for trouble.
I am getting angry at him just typing this out 😂
Hahaha...about the returns being too low there can't be any disagreement. The numbers are what they are, especially the outside-off ones.
The only thing we can probably do as fans is to take comfort in assuming, and it's not far fetched, that Kohli knows the problem and is doing everything he can to fix it. And also wait for the stars to align once again for him and wonder how fickle greatness in this funny game can be.
Haha, the Pope jibe was a joke. Of course, was not dissing him. I like him.
But I don't necessarily agree with the "it's very tough now" argument, even though I don't disagree with the numbers around seam movement and pitch difficulty. We are essentially infantising an all-time great.
The whole point of being Virat Kohli is that you have to be a bit better than the rest. For the last few years, he hasn't been. He cannot, under any circumstances, be averaging 12 (or 15) in the first innings of Test matches for like a full year. No batter should be allowed to do that. And no argument about "but.. Pat Cummins" suffices. If bowlers have figured you out, it's on you to find a different route. Which, unfortunately, he hasn't.
Wow Sarthak. Unlike Kohli your writing shows no sign of wane. Just brilliant stuff..
For Kohli , I really wish he gets to shine in test cricket again. But I dont think I can bear to watch another compilation of his transgressions outside off stump again..
Thank you, Sanket!
I agree. The memes and edits are getting out of hand 😂
“royalty in motion” is such a good descriptor. always a bloody conquerer more than an untouchable god
Thank you! And totally. The ferocity, at this peak, was gladiatorial.
Sublime writing Sarthak.👏
Thank you, Hitesh!