"Current coaching staff doesn't have stature to say Virat Kohli…" Former bowling coach Bharat Arun opines on star batsman's slump

Virat Kohli’s batting average in test cricket was just 24.52 in 2024.

Virat Kohli‘s test form has been a major talking point in Indian cricket. The legendary batter had a tough 2024 in red-ball cricket, averaging just 24.52, with only one century.

Kohli struggled against both spinners and fast bowlers last year. The 36-year-old found it difficult against New Zealand in the home test series, often getting out to left-arm spinners.

His issues against pacers became more apparent in Australia, where he was dismissed on every occasion in the same way – playing outside the off-stump delivery and edging it behind.

While many former cricketers and legends have shared their opinions, former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun has now given an interesting take, expressing concerns about the current coaching staff of Indian cricket and their transparency with Kohli.

Bharat Arun on Virat Kohli’s weaknesses and dismal form

Speaking on former cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath’s YouTube channel, Bharat Arun revealed how Ravi Shastri advised Virat Kohli to overcome his weakness against the moving ball after the 2014 tour of England, which helped Kohli in scoring four centuries in Australia.

He also feels that the current coaching staff doesn’t have the same level of “stature and confidence” that Shastri had to offer technical changes to Kohli.

He said, “You stand on the leg stump and the ball swings in England. You cannot stand here, stand on the middle stump, come out of the crease. You are the owner of the crease. Kohli followed this in Australia and scored four centuries,”

“To say this to Kohli, one needs to have the kind of stature and confidence that Ravi Shastri had, which I think the current coaching staff does not have,” Arun added.

While Kohli has struggled in test cricket recently he has been excellent in the 50-over format for India. The team will be counting on their star batter to deliver in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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