India fast bowler Mukesh Kumar recently stirred discussion on social media after sharing a video of him dismissing Virat Kohli during a match simulation session. The video, captured ahead of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, showed Mukesh consistently targeting the fifth-stump line — an area that has troubled Kohli throughout his career.
In the clip, Mukesh bowled a delivery that bounced slightly higher than expected. Kohli, as he often does, went after the ball outside off-stump, only to edge it to the slip cordon. The 36-year-old batter appeared visibly surprised by the bounce, a reaction that mirrored his struggles with deliveries in that channel during recent matches. Mukesh’s ability to exploit this well-known vulnerability added to the intrigue of the video.
Mukesh didn’t stop there. Alongside the Kohli dismissal, he posted two other impressive clips. In one, he bowled Rishabh Pant, who attempted an ambitious flick towards the leg side but completely missed, leaving his stumps shattered. The final video showcased Mukesh dismissing Ravindra Jadeja with a brilliant inswinger that struck the all-rounder’s pads, trapping him plumb in front.
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Alongside the videos, Mukesh shared some snapshots from his time in Australia, showcasing his dedication and hard work during the tour. Mukesh Kumar was initially included in India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as part of the travelling reserves. However, after the first two Tests, the team management decided to release him to gain valuable match practice in domestic cricket.
Mukesh Kumar posted this video on his official Instagram account where he dismissed Virat Kohli in the practice match before BGT starts.😐 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/tUSWYvPIMi
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) December 16, 2024
Mukesh returned to India to represent Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier 50-over tournament. Alongside him, Yash Dayal and Navdeep Saini were also released to ensure regular game time.
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Meanwhile, Virat Kohli’s woes against deliveries outside the off-stump continue to plague him. During the third Test at the Gabba, Kohli fell victim to Josh Hazlewood, edging a delivery to Alex Carey behind the stumps. His dismissal mirrored previous struggles, as bowlers repeatedly exploit his vulnerability by maintaining a disciplined off-stump line.
Kohli’s tendency to chase deliveries outside the fourth and fifth stump has been a recurring theme throughout his career. This ongoing weakness remains a major talking point as India searches for answers to get their star batter back to his fluent best.
