Ranji Trophy: Virat Kohli works hard on overcoming the off-stump weakness, looks for a long innings

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Old habits like fishing outside the off-stump can be incredibly difficult to break, especially for a player like Virat Kohli, who has built his career on his aggressive intent and instinctive shot-making.

This habit, particularly against deliveries on the fifth and sixth stump line, has often been his undoing in red-ball cricket, especially on pitches offering seam and swing.

Kohli's struggles with it were evident in Australia, where the Australian fast bowlers exploited that off-stump channel mercilessly. Despite his efforts in the nets to address it, ingrained habits in high-pressure match situations tend to resurface, as muscle memory and instincts take over.

However, Kohli has always been a resilient player, capable of adjusting when the stakes are high. His improved back-foot play during the 2018 England tour was an example of how he worked on specific weaknesses. The challenge for him now is finding the balance between his natural aggressive instincts and the discipline needed to leave balls in that dangerous zone.

It's heartening to hear that Virat Kohli is actively working to overcome this issue by shedding the baggage of past dismissals. Tuesday's net session inside the Arun Jaitley Stadium ahead of Delhi's Ranji Trophy match against Railways was no different. If he can find a way to be more selective and disciplined against deliveries outside off-stump, especially early in his innings, it could lead to a revival in his Test form.

It's great to see the 36-year-old batter embracing the grind and gearing up for a Ranji Trophy match after such a long gap. His return to domestic cricket shows his intent to go back to the basics and recalibrate himself rather than doing it for BCCI, which is exactly what great players do when they're looking for a resurgence. If he wanted, he could have not played the match at all by saying that his neck injury is still healing. Virat Kohli didn't do that. After all, this Kotla has always been a special venue for him, given his roots in Delhi cricket, and the support from the Delhi crowd will undoubtedly add to the atmosphere.

The fact that Kohli is focusing on playing a long innings rather than going for flashy stroke-making shows his commitment to adapting to the format and conditions. If he indeed plans to bat for two days, it signals that he's prioritizing time at the crease and discipline, which is what he needs to rebuild his confidence and rhythm in red-ball cricket. Who knows? He could come out more powerful in upcoming ODI matches for India.

So what if the left-arm seamer's delivery that nicked him in the nets is a reminder of the challenges he continues to face? His determination to overcome those struggles is what sets him apart. A big knock against Railways in the Ranji Trophy could be just what he needs to quiet the critics and carry momentum into future assignments.

It's also exciting to hear about the buzz around the Kotla! Kohli's presence will surely draw a good crowd if he bats well and long, and the match will feel more like a spectacle than a domestic game.