Virat Kohli's persistent difficulties with wide deliveries became evident once again on Day 3 of the third Test at the Gabba, as the Indian batsman struggled to perform under pressure. Kohli faced 15 balls, managing to score only three runs before succumbing to a wide delivery from Josh Hazlewood. In an attempt to execute a cover drive, Kohli's loose shot was easily caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey, leaving India in a precarious position at 22/3 in response to Australia's substantial first-innings score of 445.

This incident marked yet another occasion where Kohli failed to demonstrate the necessary caution against the formidable Australian seamers, particularly Hazlewood, who is adept at capitalizing on the outside edge.

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar offered a candid critique of Kohli's dismissal. He highlighted that Kohli's tendency to chase wide deliveries has been a consistent issue throughout the series, suggesting that greater discipline and restraint could have mitigated this problem. While Gavaskar acknowledged that Kohli had little control over the first three dismissals, he emphasized that Kohli should have refrained from attempting a cover drive on Day 3 in Brisbane.

“In the earlier three dismissals, there was nothing wrong. (But) this one, he brought this upon himself because he could've left that ball well alone,” Gavaskar stated during an interview with Star Sports.

“Even earlier, there was a delivery from Mitchell Starc that was angled across, and he reached for it, which is concerning. He has been dismissed similarly, not just in this series, but against the Australians in the past. He has chased deliveries outside the off-stump and has been caught behind.”

Give yourself time

Gavaskar emphasized that Kohli should adopt a more patient approach and refrain from attempting aggressive shots at this stage of the innings.

"He is leaning onto the front foot, and while Haydos believes he should be doing that, I contend that he needs to allow himself some time and not play as defensively as he might in India," Gavaskar remarked.

Although Kohli achieved a century in the opening Test of the series in Perth, it is noteworthy that this remains his sole score exceeding fifty runs across five innings to date.

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