Cricket is a sport of constant evolution, requiring players to adapt to diverse conditions and bowlers’ tactics.

Few embody this better than Steven Smith, who recently shared an insightful nugget about his batting technique. “I’ve changed my set-up pretty much every game I’ve played for the last 15 years,” Smith remarked. On Sunday, after a stellar 101-run innings, he spent time emphasizing the value of scoring a meaningful 30. Despite his outburst after getting dismissed—throwing his helmet and gloves in frustration—his adaptability and relentless experimentation offer invaluable lessons for batters worldwide.

The Struggles of India’s Top Order

Day 3 of the third Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba in Brisbane proved challenging for Team India. With the score at 27/3, India’s innings was a reflection of both technical missteps and excellent Australian bowling. KL Rahul, India’s most consistent batter on this tour, faced a rude awakening in just the second over. A good-length delivery struck his wrist as he misjudged the bounce, expecting it to arrive closer to his knee. However, Rahul quickly adjusted his approach, adopting softer hands and playing close to his body—a technique that has earned him plaudits in challenging conditions. In Brisbane, he even mastered retracting his bat upon impact to nullify the ball’s sting.

Kohli: Trusting the Tried-and-Tested

Unlike Rahul, Virat Kohli’s initial approach didn’t show similar adaptability. Kohli’s batting philosophy hinges on immense trust in his method. Whether it’s low-bounce pitches at home, high-bounce wickets in Australia, or spinning tracks in the subcontinent, Kohli’s consistent belief in his technique has been his hallmark. In the 2022 T20 World Cup at Melbourne, for instance, he rescued India from 31/4 against Pakistan’s pace attack by playing with the same front-foot-dominant style. However, Brisbane presented a sterner test. When Josh Hazlewood bowled a fuller delivery outside off, Kohli planted his front foot forward as usual. The ball climbed higher than expected, taking the shoulder of his bat. The question loomed: would Kohli adjust his game to meet the challenge?

The Cover Drive: A Double-Edged Sword

In Kohli’s second attempt to counter Hazlewood, the story repeated itself. He went after a wide delivery, driven by his instinct for scoring runs quickly, and paid the price. This pattern has become a recurring theme in the series, much like a predictable horror movie trope. Indian fans could almost be heard collectively groaning, “Don’t do it!” Yet, Kohli’s rationale for taking the risk isn’t without merit. Over the past two years, he has averaged 71 and struck at 145 against wide deliveries from pacers. But Brisbane’s conditions, coupled with the tall Australian bowlers extracting bounce from the new Kookaburra ball, demanded a more cautious approach—a lesson Kohli seemed hesitant to embrace fully.

ODI Kohli vs. Test Kohli

It’s tempting to draw parallels between Kohli’s ODI and Test personas. ODI Kohli, renowned for his risk-averse strategy at the start of an innings, often builds monumental scores by minimizing errors early on. This version of Kohli has overshadowed some of India’s greatest batters with his unmatched consistency. Test Kohli, however, appears more willing to take risks—sometimes to his detriment. For instance, in the first innings in Perth, he batted outside his crease to counter the pace and bounce. Hazlewood exploited this by bowling short, and Kohli’s attempt to press forward ended in a half-hearted shot. While he corrected this in his second innings century by stepping back into his crease, the trial-and-error approach hinted at an underlying struggle to find the right balance.

Lessons from Past Greats

History offers a wealth of lessons for modern cricketers. Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic 241* at Sydney in 2004 stands out as a masterclass in adaptability. Struggling with deliveries outside off stump, Tendulkar decided to completely avoid playing cover drives, focusing instead on his strengths on the leg side. This disciplined approach yielded a monumental innings and highlighted the importance of prioritizing team goals over personal style. Kohli, too, must channel similar restraint and modify his game when conditions demand it.

The Australian Approach: Adapting to Conditions

While Kohli grappled with his method, the Australian batters showcased remarkable adaptability. Steven Smith tweaked his trigger movement to combat Gabba’s bounce, and Travis Head, unperturbed by pressure situations, played with freedom to shift momentum in his team’s favor. Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney demonstrated the art of leaving deliveries on length, a tactic crucial for survival in testing conditions. These adjustments underline the value of having contingency plans against good bowling.

Rain Pauses Play

As rain interrupted play on Day 3, the question remains whether India’s batters can mount a comeback. Kohli’s dismissal, along with early breakthroughs from Mitchell Starc, has left the team reeling. With Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill falling cheaply, India faces an uphill battle to salvage a respectable score.

Key Takeaways

1. Adaptability is Key: Steven Smith’s willingness to tweak his stance and KL Rahul’s soft-handed technique highlight the importance of adjusting to conditions.
2. Discipline Matters: Like Tendulkar’s Sydney innings, Kohli must focus on minimizing risks, especially when facing challenging conditions.
3. Contingency Plans: Australia’s batters’ proactive strategies, such as leaving balls on length, offer a template for countering quality bowling.
4. Bowling Support: While Bumrah’s brilliance is undeniable, India’s bowling unit must work collectively to maintain pressure.

The Road Ahead

The Gabba Test serves as a litmus test for India’s resilience. Kohli’s struggles against deliveries outside off stump demand introspection and adaptation. Drawing inspiration from past greats like Tendulkar and learning from Australia’s success in this series could be pivotal. As the rain clouds clear, the spotlight will remain on Kohli and his ability to rise above the challenges, rekindling the magic that has made him one of the modern greats of cricket.