Virat Kohli is currently facing a challenging phase in his cricket career. After a brief return to form last year, his recent struggles couldn’t have come at a worse time—just before India’s tour to Australia, where he has previously shone.

In the first innings in Pune, Kohli was dismissed by a full toss, a rare mistake for him. But it was his leg-before-wicket dismissal in the second innings that might worry him more. This dismissal suggested that his reflexes might be slowing down slightly. While he may still have great performances ahead, signs of ageing are beginning to show, much like Sachin Tendulkar experienced in his later years.

Let’s examine that dismissal. Mitchell Santner bowled from wide of the crease around the stumps. As the ball dipped, Kohli decided to move back and play it off his hips. On a better pitch, he might have moved forward to defend or play it to the onside. However, due to the uneven bounce, he chose to step back. The ball skidded and stayed low, exactly as Santner intended. In his prime, Kohli would have flicked such a ball to the boundary with ease. This time, he couldn’t.

When a batsman gets out playing his usual shots, it can lead to self-doubt. Since his last Test century against the West Indies last year, Kohli has averaged only 32.63 runs over 12 innings. Those two centuries seem like rare rain during a drought.

Kohli might be frustrated not just by close decisions but also by his reliable shots failing him. This isn’t an isolated incident. In Bengaluru, he edged a ball from Glenn Phillips in the second innings just as he was regaining confidence. In the first innings, he was late reacting to extra bounce from Will O’Rourke. In these cases, he read the ball’s length but couldn’t adjust quickly enough.

Even the greatest players feel the effects of time. Sachin Tendulkar went through a similar period, especially while chasing his 100th international century. He played beautifully but made unexpected mistakes on his tours to England and Australia after the 2011 World Cup.

At 35, Kohli is in a similar stage. He’s past his peak but still has much to offer. He wants to contribute as he once did but may find it hard to accept that he can’t always perform at that level anymore. Perhaps one big century is all he needs to revive his confidence.

This downturn comes at a critical time, right before the Australia tour—a place where he’s had some of his best moments. However, Australia can also expose any weaknesses. Like Tendulkar, who struggled on his last tour there despite past successes, Kohli wouldn’t want his Australian fans to see him falter.

Despite recent challenges, Kohli’s legacy remains secure. He is still one of India’s greatest batsmen and captains. Fans buy tickets hoping to watch him play, and his presence on the field is captivating, even when he’s not scoring big runs. For Kohli, the desire to score centuries and excel is as strong as ever, and overcoming this phase is his current battle.