As India prepares for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli, the once-dominant batter who has struggled for form in recent times. Despite this, Australia has historically been a happy hunting ground for Kohli, where he has repeatedly excelled, both as a player and a captain.
In the past, his impressive run-scoring and consistency justified the superstar status he enjoyed Down Under, often creating a festival-like atmosphere whenever he touched Australian soil. However, this time, Virat is not only battling to regain his form but also facing the pressure of preserving his legacy in Test cricket, especially with a potential transition looming after the current ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
David Warner, who recently announced his retirement from Test cricket, has issued a warning to the Australian team ahead of the five-match Test series, starting November 22 in Perth. Writing in his column for Herald Sun, Warner said, “This is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and we know Virat always steps up in Australia. He embraces the challenge like almost no one else who has ever visited our shores. There is no better way for him to silence the critics. I’m genuinely worried for the Australian cricket team that he’s going to come out and pile on some runs.”
This year, Kohli has played 19 matches across all formats but has managed just 488 runs at a surprisingly low average of 20.33, with only two half-centuries in 25 innings and a highest score of 76. His struggles in Test cricket have been particularly alarming, as the numbers do not reflect the skill and superstardom expected of him.
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From 2016 to 2019, Kohli was in the form of his life, amassing 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an average of 66.79, including 16 centuries and 10 fifties. During this period, he also set a record for seven double centuries, the most by any captain in Test history.
However, since 2020, Kohli has been in a prolonged slump in Test cricket, scoring 1,838 runs from 34 Tests at an average of 31.68, with only two centuries and nine fifties. The cricket world will be watching closely as Kohli seeks to rediscover his form during the upcoming tour of Australia.