Sat Nov 02 06:20:15 UTC 2024: ## Kohli’s Struggles Against Spin Continue in Pune Test
**Pune:** Indian batting star Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated performance in the second day of the Pune Test fell short of expectations, as he was dismissed for a paltry single run. The Pune pitch has been offering significant assistance to spinners from day one, making batting a challenging endeavor.
Kohli, who had scored 70 runs in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test, failed to replicate his form in Pune. His struggles against left-arm spinners, particularly noticeable in recent years, continued.
Statistics reveal a concerning trend. From 2012 to 2020, Kohli amassed 619 runs in 36 innings against left-arm spinners at home, getting out only 5 times. His average during this period was an impressive 123.8. However, since 2021, his average against left-arm spinners at home has plummeted to 28.78 in 21 innings, with 9 dismissals.
This decline extends to his overall performance against spinners. Between 2012 and 2021, Kohli scored 1866 runs at an average of 74.64 against spinners in 54 innings, being dismissed 25 times. However, in the last two years, he has managed only 573 runs in 22 innings, falling prey to spinners on 19 occasions. His average has dropped to a modest 30.2.
These figures suggest a growing difficulty for Kohli in countering spin bowling, raising concerns for the Indian team’s batting prospects.
First Piper 