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Scott Boland had a significant impact on India’s top order at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli, putting India in a difficult position. However, Rishabh Pant’s impressive 61-run knock helped stabilise the innings.
Kohli’s dismissal marked the fourth time Boland had taken his wicket in the series. Kohli edged a delivery outside the off stump, continuing a pattern observed throughout the series. Mark Waugh commented on Fox Sports about Boland’s effectiveness against Kohli.
“It is almost like he has got a spell on him. He is mesmerising him. He is mesmerising that bat to follow the ball, and that could well be the last time that we see Virat Kohli on Australian soil and in Test match cricket,” Waugh said on Fox Sports.
Waugh’s observation is supported by statistics. In five innings, Kohli has faced 68 deliveries from Boland, scoring only 28 runs while being dismissed four times. His struggles are evident in his false shot percentage of 35.2%.
The second day of the fifth Test might have been Kohli’s final Test appearance in Australia. His repeated dismissals in a similar fashion were undoubtedly disappointing. Australian coach Andrew McDonald addressed the team’s strategy against Kohli.
“It’s never easy to get Virat out. I’d give full credit to the bowlers and the execution of the plan. It’s one thing to have a plan, but then to be able to execute that the way that we have to Virat put him under immense pressure. And look, he’s tried some things. He’s walked out of his crease. He’s tried different tactics as well.”
McDonald continued to praise Boland’s effectiveness, acknowledging the difficulty Kohli faced against the bowler’s relentless pressure.
“But clearly that relentless nature of, in particular, Scotty Boland in that match-up has been incredibly difficult for him to combat. But he’s never an easy wicket, no,” said McDonald at stumps.
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