India vs West Indies 2nd ODI: Virat Kohli Makes Crucial Return to Form

A dramatic West Indian batting collapse that saw them fold from 170-2 to 215 all out gave India victory in the second ODI of the five-match series in Delhi on Saturday.

India, having won the toss and elected to bat, set what appeared to be a below-par total of 263-7 thanks largely to fifties from Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina. And despite a superb start from the West Indies that took them to the brink of victory at 170-2, with Dwayne Smith striking 97, a mad passage of play proceeded in which the visitors lost their remaining eight wickets for just 45 runs.

Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra were the stars with the ball, taking nine wickets between them and carrying their side to a crucial victory that levels the five-match series one-all with three to play.

However, with only a handful of months until the World Cup begins in Australia and New Zealand early next year, the means of these matches are as, if not more, important than the results themselves. While winning is obviously important, finding the right strategy, team-balance and form is crucial ahead of the main event next February; and Saturday's return to form for India’s leading batsman Kohli will give them a much needed lift.

Kohli has struggled for form since the middle of the Indian Premier League in April and May—after which he offered precious little returns in England during both the Test and ODI series—however, his 78-ball 62 today—his first ODI fifty since February—may well spell the end of the drought.

Kohli’s last five ODI scores before today’s match were: 0, 40, 1*, 13, 2, and in the lead up to this series had been seeking technical assistance from Sachin Tendulkar.

His innings today displayed all the characteristics of a man desperately battling for form. It was not an innings containing the usual Kohli arrogance or swagger; he was cautious, tentative even, watching the ball carefully outside off stump. Indeed, his strike-rate Saturday of just 79 is 10 below his career strike rate of 89, but that he scored runs supersedes their nature or design.

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Kohli batted at number four today rather than three, where he has played more innings, and although his record in either position remains strong, dropping Kohli to four rather symbolises the nature of his entire innings and India’s handling of their precious star.

India need a strong and in-form Virat Kohli. Shifting him down the order one place protects him slightly from the new ball, cushioning his fragile technique and confidence, while the nature of his innings reinforced that this is a period of time in which Kohli is fighting hard for runs; however they may come.

Indeed, many analysts have pointed out Kohli’s technical frailties outside off stump, and there is little doubt he is struggling in that area—close observers have watched on as he has dedicated entire training sessions to drills for facing such deliveries.

But while he continues to work away from matches on that area of his game, a return to form and a boost in confidence via runs, in whatever manner, will likely bring Kohli back towards his natural game—the game that has taken him to the upper echelons of modern cricket, and, in fact, modern batting.

Kohli looked scratchy on Saturday, he didn’t look perfect, but he scored runs. If he continues to grind them out, it won’t be long before he’s churning them out. Today was a big win for India, and a small step towards retribution for Kohli.