Champions Trophy, IND vs PAK: Why is Virat Kohli struggling? Gavaskar explains KEY reason behind dismissals

Virat Kohli's struggles with an open-bat face technique raise concerns ahead of India's crucial Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan.

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Virat Kohli’s recurring struggles against spin and fast bowlers have raised concerns ahead of India’s high-stakes clash against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes Kohli’s tendency to play with an open-faced bat is proving costly, particularly in challenging conditions.

The 36-year-old Kohli, who endured a difficult tour of Australia due to his vulnerability in the off-side corridor, was dismissed for 22 in India’s opening match against Bangladesh on Thursday. Wrist-spinner Rishad Hossain trapped the star batter while he attempted a cut shot, only to be caught at backward point by Soumya Sarkar.

“It is to a great extent due to the fact that the bat face opens up, the same thing happens when he's playing against the quicks in Australia," Gavaskar told India Today. "The bat face is opening up, looking to play through the covers, opening the face of the bat, that gets him into trouble. So that is something that he's got to watch out for."

Kohli’s dismissal against Bangladesh marked the sixth consecutive time he has fallen to spin in ODIs, a worrying trend that was also evident in India’s recent home series against England, where Adil Rashid had troubled him repeatedly. “A couple of times before he got out, he reached for Rishad, the ball turned, the bat face opened, and luckily there was no nick. So that is something that he'll have to tighten up on now,” Gavaskar added.

Kohli, who had a stellar 2023 ODI World Cup with 765 runs in 11 matches, has struggled for consistency this year. In six innings, he has managed just 137 runs at an average of 22.83, with a solitary half-century. His Test performances since 2024 have also been underwhelming, with only 440 runs in 11 matches.

As India aims to reclaim the Champions Trophy after 12 years, Kohli’s form remains a key talking point. The Men in Blue will now prepare for their much-anticipated encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai, where Kohli’s ability to counter Pakistan’s potent bowling attack will be crucial to India’s success.