Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan took a jibe at Virat Kohli for repeatedly getting dismissed while making the same mistake. He added that the veteran Indian batter is lowering his own and his fans’ expectations as well. However, Kohli scored five runs off 29 deliveries as India were bowled out for 155 in their second innings on Day 5 (Monday, December 30) of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 fourth Test in Melbourne as well.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Pathan said, “Virat Kohli talks about discipline himself but he didn’t show discipline there. Talking about it on one side and taking it into the ground on the other. This is not about today but for many years. It’s about leaving the temptation. You are repeatedly getting out by making the same mistake. You are bringing your own and the fans’ expectations down. Even if you ask a domestic Indian cricketer what should you bowl against Virat, he will also say that he will come and bowl outside the off-stump, and try to get him out.”

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However, Virat Kohli nicked a Mitchell Starc delivery to Usman Khawaja at first slip as well. Notably, all his dismissals in the ongoing series have been to catches behind the wickets. In the same discussion, Irfan Pathan stated Virat Kohli could have easily left the ball as well.

“What line was it? It was a sixth or seventh stump line. Mitchell Starc’s ball was overpitched but it was way outside the off-stump. The length was a temptation to play the drive, but he could have definitely left it based on line. You also need to keep in mind when you are playing that shot. It was just before Lunch and two wickets had fallen. You just had to play carefully there. They bowled one full ball and invited you to lose your wicket and you accepted that. You were definitely trapped. It’s a normal trap. It’s not that Australia are making outstanding plans,” Irfan Pathan concluded.