Virat Kohli will not allow the eight-ball duck on his return in India colours to haunt him for long, but would not tinker around too much with his game either before striding back into form, said former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.
Kohli’s much-awaited return to top-tier competitive cricket after a break of four months ended in disappointment for Indian fans last Sunday when he was constricted to seven successive dot balls in Perth before Australia pacer Mitchell Starc landed the crushing blow. Kohli was lured into the off-side trap laid out for him as he went fishing at a delivery angled across, falling on an eight-ball duck with a diving Cooper Connolly denying him a chance at point.
Despite his technical deficiency being exploited early on in the three-match series, Nayar feels Kohli’s tenacity will help him to make a comeback without having to dwell too much on his technique or other aspects.
All smiles from Virat Kohli at Adelaide Oval
One of cricket’s true icons, Virat Kohli returns to his beloved ground — training here for what may be his final appearance in international colours at Adelaide Oval.
It has been an honour and a privilege to welcome one of the… pic.twitter.com/GxCAWKSgOM
— SACA News (@SACAnews) October 21, 2025
“Whatever time I have spent with him, he knows how to play in one way only, with passion and aggression. He will back himself. There will be a lot of discussions about him playing deliveries outside the off-stump. He will go back and visualise. He will meditate and come into his zone,” Nayar said on Star Sports.
Opening Pair
Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill
✅
Ideal Scenario
70/0
in 10 overs
Kohli enters with momentum, bowlers under pressure, field spread out
⚠️
Pressure Scenario
Early
Wicket Falls
Kohli faces fresh bowlers, aggressive fields, must rebuild innings
Key Insight: Context Changes Everything
The match situation when Kohli arrives at the crease fundamentally alters his approach, the bowling strategy against him, and field placements. A strong opening partnership provides the cushion for aggressive stroke-play.
“If Virat comes to bat after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have scored 70 runs in the first 10 overs, the case is different. If he comes at the start, the case is different. It’s about execution and handling pressure.”
— Abhishek Nayar, Former India Assistant Coach
Indian Express InfoGenIE
‘Thought process of vintage Virat’
“He will try to get back the thought process of the old vintage Virat Kohli. He will try to get that mindset. He will try to play with freedom. The result is not in your hands. He will pay attention to the process. Whatever he has been known for, he will try to bring that Virat to the ground,” Nayar elaborated
Nayar also weighed on Kohli’s challenges against the potent seam duo of Starc and Josh Hazlewood and also declared that a good start from openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma will help the former India skipper settle in nicely.
“I would want him to win, but I always believe that you don’t prepare for failure but for success. Whomever you ask, they will say that when Virat comes, the attempt will be to bowl back of the length outside off-stump, with short balls in between. Virat and the opposition know that,” Nayar said.
“It’s about execution and handling pressure. It’s about the start you get. If Virat comes to bat after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have scored 70 runs in the first 10 overs, the case is different. If he comes at the start, the case is different,” Nayar observed.
Story continues below this ad
India will hope for a turnaround after a harrowing defeat when they take on the Aussies in the second one-dayer in Adelaide on Thursday.
