Virat Kohli vs Josh Hazlewood: Mind games are unfolding as Hazlewood bounces out Kohli in Perth
 

In a cracker contest between Virat Kohli and Josh Hazlewood on the opening day of the Perth Test, the Australian bowler succeeded in the first round of mental warfare as Kohli nicked out to a bouncer after a nerve-wracking 12-ball stay. The mind games began even before Kohli walked in to face Hazlewood, with his guard placed six inches outside the crease, an unusual but deliberate ploy.

It was quite evident from the early stages that Kohli was trying to negate the bounce of the Perth pitch, which was at first minimal but picked up pace as the day progressed. In contrast with his teammate KL Rahul comfortably taking a big stride forward to handle the bounce, Kohli went for the line outside the crease in his attempt to manage the bounce and this did not hold good in his first few deliveries. The first ball he faced was a defensive stab to the off-side, followed by a leading edge on the next. Balls kept coming in awkward angles, one of which even rammed into his thigh pad.

The Perth pitch was nowhere near as testing for Kohli as he would have liked; only slight bounce and movement could trouble him, considering his unusual stance. Hazlewood, though soon settled himself to the conditions but switched to the pavilion end where it held enough bounce. The Australian pacer then set up a brilliant delivery that caught Kohli off guard-a lifter from back of length outside off that Kohli couldn't handle. In a bid to retreat his foot and pull away from the line, Kohli’s bat was too late, and the ball sailed comfortably to Usman Khawaja at first slip.

The dismissal was a blow to Kohli’s strategy, which involved standing outside the crease to play the bounce. Hazlewood’s superior bounce won the first round for Australia, and Kohli’s strategy appeared to have failed on the first attempt. Now that the first innings are over, cricket fans anxiously await how Kohli will adapt to this thrilling battle between the Indian batting star and the Australian pacer on the second round. Does Kohli continue with his approach or change to beat Hazlewood's bounce in the second innings? Only time will tell, but this battle is far from over.

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