Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has questioned Virat Kohli’s spot in the Test team after he had another poor series with the bat in Australia. Talking about that the former India captain has averaged just around 30 in Tests in the last five years, he added that even a youngster can play in such numbers if given such a long run as well.

Speaking to Star Sports, Pathan said: “He has made a lot of runs, but in 2024, batting in the first innings where you set up the match, Kohli averages just 15. If we take out his stats for the last five years, he barely averages 30. Does the Indian team deserve that from its senior player? It’s better to give a youngster a long run, tell him to get ready; even that guy will maintain a batting average of 25-30.”

“When we are talking about Virat Kohli, we are not degrading him…He has done remarkable things for India, performed a lot of times. But you are getting out committing the same mistake again and again…the technical mistake that Sunny (Gavaskar) sir also mentioned. You are not trying to improve that. Sunny sir is right here (in Australia). How much time does it take to reach out and ask him ‘sir, what can I do (to correct myself). Improving mistakes requires hard work, which isn’t showing (in Kohli’s case),” he further added.

Even before the start of the home series against Bangladesh, many stated that the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma must play domestic
cricket to regain their batting form as well.

“India doesn’t need superstar culture, India needs team culture. Tell me one thing. When last did Virat Kohli play domestic cricket, even despite being free, when did it happen?. It’s been so long…Even the great Sachin Tendulkar played (domestic cricket) after that (2012). He didn’t have to but still he played,” Irfan Pathan concluded.