Virat Kohli’s journey to mastering spin bowling has been an exciting evolution over the years. But when it comes to facing the spinners in Chennai, particularly in the IPL, he will be up for a major challenge. The venue known for its slow, turning pitches and spin-friendly conditions presents a tough test for any batsman, and Kohli’s recent record at Chepauk doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. However, his batting evolution over recent years, coupled with the belief of his mentor and RCB’s batting coach, Dinesh Karthik, suggests that Kohli is more than ready for the challenge that lies ahead.
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Ko-hli’s Record at Chepauk: A Struggle Against Spin
Virat Ko-hli’s history in Chennai is far from stellar. In 13 visits to the city during IPL matches, Kohli has accumulated just 383 runs at an average of 29.46. His strike rate of 111.01 further highlights the difficulty he has faced in navigating the spinning conditions of Chepauk. Like many other RCB players, Kohli has typically handled pace and bounce better than spin, especially on pitches like those found in Chennai, where the ball often grips and turns sharply.
Despite his struggles, Kohli’s performance in recent seasons has shown a marked improvement. He has worked relentlessly on his game to adapt to the challenges posed by spin. His willingness to evolve, combined with technical changes and mental adjustments, has made him a more formidable player against slow bowlers.
Kohli’s Growth Against Spin: The 2024 IPL Turnaround
In IPL 2024, Virat Kohli showed significant progress in playing spin. A standout performance came during RCB’s must-win game against CSK, when Kohli played a crucial knock of 47 runs off 29 balls. The pitch, which had briefly offered sharp turn after a rain delay, tested the batsmen, but Kohli’s increased confidence and willingness to take risks were on full display. It was a match that highlighted his improving strike rate and his ability to take on spinners in tough conditions.
Throughout IPL 2024, Kohli’s strike rate against spin improved dramatically, soaring to 137.08 — a huge jump from the previous years. In 2020, Kohli’s strike rate against spin was 108.91, and by 2021, it had dipped further to 100. By 2024, he had almost doubled his boundary percentage compared to the 2021 season, reflecting his growth against spin.
Virat Kohli vs Spin: A Detailed Look
Here’s a closer look at Kohli’s performance against spin in recent IPL seasons:
| Year | Runs | Balls Faced | SR | Wickets | Average | Dot% | Boundary% | Sweep% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 220 | 202 | 108.91 | 2 | 110 | 27.1 | 6.43 | 1% |
| 2021 | 134 | 134 | 100 | 3 | 44.66 | 36 | 8.95 | 2.2% |
| 2022 | 107 | 99 | 108.08 | 4 | 26.75 | 31 | 8.08 | 1% |
| 2023 | 238 | 211 | 112.79 | 5 | 47.6 | 25.4 | 9.95 | 1.9% |
| 2024 | 292 | 213 | 137.08 | 5 | 58.4 | 28.5 | 15.02 | 10.6% |
| 2025 | 24 | 20 | 120 | 0 | – | 20 | 10 | 20% |
As we can see, Kohli’s approach to spin has been continually improving. His boundary percentage has seen a steady increase, particularly in 2024, when his aggression against spin became more evident. The evolution is not just statistical — it’s a testament to his adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity.
The Big Test: Facing CSK’s Spin Trio at Chepauk
Despite Kohli’s impressive growth, the upcoming clash in Chennai against CSK will be a whole different ball game. The Chepauk pitch, known for its slow turn, will test even the most accomplished players. What makes this challenge even more daunting is CSK’s formidable spin attack — a trio comprising the experienced Ravichandran Ashwin, the wily Ravindra Jadeja, and the young left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad.
Together, these spinners form a challenging combination that can unsettle any batsman. Ashwin’s guile, Jadeja’s control, and Noor Ahmad’s variety make CSK a dangerous side on their home turf. For Kohli, this spin attack will be one of his toughest challenges yet.
Karthik’s Confidence in Kohli
Dinesh Karthik, RCB’s batting coach, is not worried. In fact, Karthik believes that Kohli is in the best form of his life and is more than capable of handling the CSK spinners. Karthik spoke highly of Kohli’s readiness, stating that the 36-year-old is batting as confidently as ever. He shared that Kohli has been working on his game, constantly seeking to improve, even after all these years.
“He wanted to work on one more shot,” Karthik said. “At this point in his career, to be so hungry and looking to improve further is a testament to his mindset and work ethic. He’s a special player, and right now, he is batting as well as he ever has in the IPL.”
This hunger for continuous improvement speaks volumes about Kohli’s mentality. Even at 36, he is striving for perfection, a trait that has defined his career. Karthik’s words reflect the faith that RCB has in their star player, and it’s clear that Ko-hli is preparing to take on the CSK spinners with everything he’s got.
Ko-hli’s Early IPL 2025 Form
In the 2025 season, Ko-hli has shown promising signs. His first match in Kolkata saw him score 24 runs off 20 balls against spin. Notably, he attempted the sweep shot once every five balls, a clear indication that he is trying to continue his aggressive approach against spin. The sweep shot has become a weapon for him in recent seasons, and he will likely use it again when facing CSK’s spinners.
However, there is one shot that Ko-hli has refrained from playing in the IPL since 2016 — the reverse sweep. It remains to be seen whether Ko-hli will reintroduce this shot into his game in Chennai, but Karthik’s comments suggest that Kohli is always looking for ways to evolve his technique and add more tools to his arsenal.
CSK’s Spin-Friendly Pitches: Advantage for the Hosts
CSK’s home ground, Chepauk, has long been known for its slow, spin-friendly pitches. Over the last few seasons, CSK has been keen to regain their home advantage, and it appears they have succeeded. While coach Stephen Fleming expressed that the team is adaptable to different pitch conditions, he acknowledged that the turning nature of Chepauk pitches would benefit the spinners.
Fleming emphasized that CSK is equipped with a squad capable of adapting to various conditions, but he did not hide the fact that they would be pleased if the pitch provided assistance to their spinners. Given the nature of the pitch, it will be interesting to see how CSK deploys its spinners and how Kohli navigates this challenge.
Conclusion: Can Kohli Rise to the Occasion?
As Virat Ko-hli gears up to face one of his biggest tests of IPL 2025, the clash between RCB and CSK promises to be a thrilling encounter. Ko-hli’s evolution against spin has been impressive, and his recent form suggests that he will approach this challenge with confidence. While CSK’s spin trio will undoubtedly test him, Ko-hli’s hunger to improve and his desire to perform under pressure make him a player to watch.
With the support of his mentor Dinesh Karthik, who believes Ko-hli is batting as well as he ever has, it’s clear that the RCB star is ready to take on the challenge. Whether or not he can conquer CSK’s spin attack in Chepauk will be one of the key storylines of IPL 2025, and fans of the game will be eagerly watching to see how it unfolds.
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