“Virat Kohli’s Irreplaceable Role Acknowledged, Yet Rahul, Iyer, Jadeja Demonstrate Depth in Indian Middle-Order”

The last instance of Virat Kohli’s absence from a home Test match dates back to November 2021, during a match against New Zealand in Kanpur. Notably, it marked Rahul Dravid’s debut as India’s head coach. Shreyas Iyer, making his debut, played a pivotal role in stabilizing the middle order with scores of 105 and 65. Despite the challenging conditions of a low, sluggish pitch, Iyer’s efforts ensured a thrilling draw against New Zealand.

In contrast to the anticipated absence in the previous match, Kohli’s withdrawal from the first two Tests against England came as a sudden development, just days before the highly anticipated series. While England’s spin attack lacked extensive experience, the formidable reputation of their batting lineup posed a significant challenge for India.

However, India’s middle order demonstrated resilience and depth during the first Test against England in Hyderabad. Despite initial concerns about Kohli’s absence, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja played pivotal roles, contributing significantly to India’s commanding lead of 175 runs. The middle-order batsmen showcased determination and skill, building crucial partnerships throughout the match.

Although India’s middle-order batsmen displayed commendable performance, there were instances of dismissals that could have been avoided. The importance of partnerships and the need to avoid losing wickets in clusters were emphasized, especially on a slow-paced pitch favoring spinners.

The inclusion of players like Axar Patel, who batted deep in the lineup, further strengthened India’s batting arsenal. Despite the absence of Kohli, the collective effort of Rahul, Iyer, Jadeja, Bharat, and Axar showcased the depth and versatility of India’s middle order.

While Kohli remains an irreplaceable figure in the team, the performance of the middle-order batsmen underscores their ability to step up in his absence. This demonstration of depth in the middle order would undoubtedly be encouraging for Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, the team’s leadership.

Author: suman jha