Can Virat Kohli Reclaim Form by Following Shreyas Iyer’s India A Approach?

Virat Kohli's alarming dip in form has intensified scrutiny ahead of the decisive third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the former captain registering consecutive ducks for the first time in his illustrious ODI career. The 36-year-old, returning to international cricket after a seven-month hiatus, faced just 12 deliveries across the first two matches in Perth and Adelaide—dismissed for zero by Mitchell Starc while driving outside off-stump in the opener, and trapped LBW by Xavier Bartlett's inswinger in the second. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticised Kohli's lack of match practice, labelling him "unsettled" and "out of touch", and urged the batting maestro to emulate teammate Shreyas Iyer by participating in domestic and India A fixtures to regain rhythm. This advice comes as Kohli, now limited to the 50-over format following retirements from Tests and T20Is, faces mounting questions about his long-term viability until the 2027 World Cup.

Kaif highlighted Iyer's proactive approach as a model, noting the middle-order batsman's fluency stems from consistent game time despite similar format restrictions. "Iyer played India A matches, and that is why you see the fluency in his batting," Kaif said on his YouTube channel. "He never looks out of touch, like how Virat is looking right now." Iyer, who scored a modest total in the first ODI, rebounded with a composed 61 off 77 balls in Adelaide, showcasing mental clarity and technical readiness honed through lower-tier competitions. Kaif extended the recommendation to captain Rohit Sharma, emphasising that even elite players require regular competitive exposure to maintain sharpness, especially in an era where bilateral series are spaced out and domestic schedules offer critical tune-ups.

The Sydney showdown, with public tickets sold out at the 48,000-capacity SCG, carries added emotional weight as it may mark Kohli's final appearance in Australia before the next global tournament. Under stand-in skipper Shubman Gill, India aims to avoid a whitewash after Australia's dominant 2-0 lead, while the hosts target a clean sweep for their home fans. Kohli's struggles have reignited debates over selection criteria for ageing stars, with critics pointing to his reduced workload as a potential liability. Yet, his historical dominance Down Under—averaging over 60 in ODIs against Australia—fuels hope for a resurgence on a venue where he has centuries to his name.

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As the series concludes, Kohli's path forward hinges on adapting to a part-time international role, potentially through increased domestic involvement like the Ranji Trophy or India A tours. With no further bilateral ODIs scheduled against Australia until closer to 2027, proactive measures could prove decisive in sustaining his legacy as the format's second-highest run-scorer. For now, all eyes are on Sydney, where a vintage Kohli innings could silence doubters and reaffirm his enduring class amid a challenging transitional phase.

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