As Team India gears up for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Virat Kohli’s form in Test cricket will be under intense scrutiny. The former captain, once India’s most prolific Test run-scorer, has struggled to regain his footing in the longest format, with recent performances against Bangladesh and New Zealand raising questions about his consistency.
Kohli’s numbers reveal a concerning dip. He averaged just over 15 against New Zealand, failing to register a century across three matches in a series India ultimately lost 0-3. For a player of his stature, such numbers are worrying. In the past two years, he has played 14 matches, scoring only two centuries and a handful of fifties. With 1,838 runs across 34 Tests at an average of 31.68 since February 2022, Kohli’s decline from his peak is clear.
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Australian legend Ricky Ponting weighed in on Virat Kohli’s struggles, describing them as “concerning” but expressing hope that Kohli’s prowess could shine through in the upcoming series. “I saw a stat that said he’s only scored two Test hundreds in the last five years. That didn’t sound right, but if true, it’s concerning,” Ponting noted on the ICC Review. “There wouldn’t be many top-order batsmen in international cricket with just two Test centuries in five years.”
Yet, Ricky Ponting remains optimistic. He acknowledged Kohli’s love for playing against Australia and his impressive record on Australian soil. “There’s no doubt he’s one of the greats. He enjoys the challenge of playing Australia, and if there’s ever a time for him to turn things around, it’s this series. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make runs in the first game,” Ricky Ponting added.
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With the BCCI reportedly considering changes to the Test squad based on Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s performances, this series could be pivotal for both veterans. For Kohli, it’s more than just another tour; it’s a potential turning point. A strong showing in Australia might just secure his Test future, but anything less could prompt India’s selectors to look toward a new generation of leadership in the game’s longest format.
