June 27, 2024

Ball-by-Ball Analysis of Virat Kohli’s Intense Nine-Run Innings

Nine off nine may sound like an ordinary T20 innings, in which an opener plays cautiously before getting out. However, Virat Kohli’s performance against England in the T20 World Cup semi-final was everything but ordinary. It was an innings filled with tension—marked by plays and misses, one moment of brilliance, and a rough finish. Here’s how it unfolded.

Kohli entered the T20 World Cup as a batter rejuvenated in the shortest format. After topping the run charts in the IPL, he had spearheaded Royal Challengers Bangalore’s unexpected charge to the playoffs. But since then, his form has taken a dramatic downturn. Known for excelling at global T20 events, Kohli struggled to find his rhythm this time.

The slide began in the USA, where sluggish New York pitches contributed to low scores. He showed glimpses of form, grinding out 24 against Afghanistan and looking more fluid with a 34 against Bangladesh. But with two more disappointing outings, the pressure was back on him.

Rain delayed the semi-final in Guyana by an hour and fifteen minutes. Once the weather cleared, England opted to bowl first, putting Kohli and India to the test.

Rohit Sharma, as he had done throughout the tournament, took the first strike. A streaky boundary off the second ball of Reece Topley’s opening over set the tone. Virat Kohli faced his first delivery on the fourth ball, and what followed was a scrappy, uncharacteristic innings that never found rhythm.

Ball 1 – Dot

Topley delivered a length ball angling across from over the wicket. Kohli came forward cautiously, pushing it to cover with little conviction. No run.

Ball 2 – Dot

Seemingly eager to break free, Kohli charged down the track on the next ball. He attempted an agricultural swipe across the line to a full, swinging delivery on leg stump. The swing beat his bat and the leg stump, safely gathered by the keeper, with the ball squeezing through the gap between bat and pad.

Ball 3 – Leg Bye

Topley stuck to the same leg-stump line but pulled the length back slightly. Kohli pressed forward, attempting to flick with his wrists, but missed considerably. The ball deflected off his thigh pad, rolling into the vacant square leg area for a leg bye.

Ball 4 – Dot

Jofra Archer began the second over with Kohli on strike. Archer, bowling a back-of-a-length delivery outside off, found the first signs of the pitch’s variable bounce, with the ball skidding under Kohli’s bat as he threw his hands at it.

Ball 5 – Single

Archer followed up with another back-of-a-length ball closer to Kohli’s body. Looking to steer it down to third man, Kohli inside-edged it, with the ball trickling to the leg side. He scrambled for his first run off the bat—far from convincing.

Ball 6 – Dot

Topley went wide for the first delivery of the third over, tempting Kohli into an attempted glide to third man. But the ball still had some swing, shaping back just enough to beat his inside edge, leaving Kohli again uncomfortable.

Ball 7 – Six

Finally, a moment of brilliance. Topley bowled a full delivery on leg stump, similar to the one that had earlier beaten Kohli. This time, however, Kohli kept his balance and played a trademark whip off his pads, launching the ball over mid-wicket for six—his fifth of the tournament, surpassing his number of fours.

Ball 8 – Two Runs

Topley stuck to a fuller length on the stumps. Buoyed by his previous six, Kohli advanced down the pitch but closed the bat face too early, attempting another flick across the line. The result was a leading edge that flew awkwardly between the bowler and mid-off, allowing Kohli to scamper through for a couple of runs.

Ball 9 – Bowled

Topley’s clever use of variations paid off. He shortened his length again but kept it on the leg stump. Kohli, advancing down the track once more, went for another wild slog across the line but completely missed. The ball removed his leg stump, bringing an end to his tenacious innings.

It was Kohli’s fifth inning in a T20 World Cup knockout match. Still, his first without reaching fifty was an uncharacteristically subdued performance on the big stage.

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