Virat Kohli's Stance, Balance Faulty: Sunil Gavaskar

Virat Kohli's batting technique is flawed, said former Test opener Sunil Gavaskar on television. Commentating on the Nagpur Test, Gavaskar was not amused with Kohli's skills after the Indian captain edged a Morne Morkel delivery to the keeper.(Scorecard | Blog)

Kohli was out for 22 after playing 55 balls and India needed a big knock from him after the hosts won the toss and decided to bat at Jamtha Stadium on Wednesday. At Kohli's exit, India crashed to 116 for five in the 40th over and on a dry and already turning wicket, the Test match was already shaping up to be a low-scoring contest.(Kohli Calls Day-Night Tests a 'Landmark')

"Virat's stance is not correct on this kind of wicket. With his feet wide apart, his balance is also not fine," Gavaskar said on STAR Sports. The Little Master added: "Virat needs to shorten his stance because then he can use the crease better. He will be in a better position to play or leave a ball."(Kohli Irked Over Pitch Debate)

Kohli has been batting with this feet-wide-apart stance for quite some time and in his last 10 Test innings, Kohli has only one century (103 versus Sri Lanka in Galle in August 2015) and a 50 (78 vs Lanka in Colombo) to show. India's No. 1 batsman certainly wants a better report card.(Ashwin's Sticking to the Basics Secret of his Success: Kohli)

In Mohali, Kohli was out either edging a seamer or spooning a catch, clear indications that he was never in control of his strokes. In English conditions, Kohli repeatedly edged behind the wickets, never comfortable with the moving ball. However, Kohli's stance worked better in Australia because the conditions of pitches were different and the Australians bowler shorter lengths.

Gavaskar, a man who was known for his copybook technique, said Kohli's current stance put him "off balance" but credit should also go to the bowler (Morkel), who bowled the right length and let the batsman err.

On Wednesday, Kohli shuffled across to the sixth stump and then pushed hard at the ball well pitched up. This was perfect recipe for an edge to the keeper. Is Team India batting coach Sanjay Bangar watching?