'Virat Has Compounded His Problems...': Former India Cricketer Points Out Kohli's Mistake After 9-ball duck in Bengaluru

India endured a terrible start to the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru as they lost Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan within the first 10 overs after opting to bat first under grey skies. The contest, delayed by a day due to rain, finally got underway on Thursday with India captain Rohit winning the toss at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The first ball was delayed with the officials waiting for the floodlights to come into full effect as they were pressed into action quite early thanks to the overcast conditions. And then Tim Southee got the first delivery to Yashasvi Jaiswal jag back prodigiously giving an indication how seam and swing friendly the conditions are – a home away from home for the Kiwis.

And soon it was evident why the tourists won’t be homesick with India losing Rohit, Kohli and Khan in quick succession. Southee set up Rohit beautifully with the Indian batter stepping out to break-free but the ball sneaked through the gate to crash onto the stumps.

Kohli then got a glove to a delivery from William O’Rourke which was nicely pouched by Glenn Phillips at gully sending back the India batting star for a 9-ball duck. Sarfaraz then fell to a Devon Conway stunner with the New Zealand fielder taking a diving catch at extra cover to leave India wobbling at 10/3 in 9.4 overs.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out the flaw in Kohli’s technique as he suggested the former captain could have easily dealt with the delivery that dismissed him by staying on backfoot.

“Have said this before will say it again. Virat has compounded his problems by wanting to be on the front foot to every ball. No matter the length. Today’s dismissal ball could have been comfortably tackled off the back foot,” Manjrekar wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The series opener between India and New Zealand got underway on Thursday after the first day was washed out by rain.