NEW DELHI: Indian cricket fans finally witnessed a moment they had been waiting for. Star batter Virat Kohli signalled a return to form in Test cricket with a well-crafted 70-run knock in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Friday.
It was a knock that held immense importance, both on a personal level and considering the match situation.It marked his first Test fifty of 2024, and the timing of his 31st in the longest format couldn’t have been more crucial – in every sense.
He took 15 balls to get off the mark but once he settled in, it was a vintage Kohli, showcasing his impeccable timing and grace, executing a flawless cover drive off the bowling of pacer William O’Rourke.
However, before this knock, Kohli appeared far from his best. His dwindling run in the longest format of the game was the talking point in the cricketing circles.
AFP Photo
Kohli’s perennial struggle against outside-off deliveries from pacers and off-spinners continued to haunt him, as he often fell victim while chasing those expansive drives.
His return to Test format against Bangladesh last month did little to change his fortunes as the batting maestro managed scores of just 6 and 17 in the two innings of the first Test in Chennai. However, he seemed to have regained the mojo back with the scores of 47 and unbeaten 29 in the second Test in Kanpur.
In the first innings of the opening Test against New Zealand, Kohli once again found himself in trouble, falling to William O’Rourke, who surprised him with extra bounce, leading to his dismissal as he was caught at gully.
What lies ahead for Kohli
Having been out of form in Test cricket, Kohli showed that he is still a force to reckon with and cannot be written off in India’s Test campaign over the next four months.
He will now need to keep his momentum in the remaining two Tests against New Zealand before heading to Australia for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
AFP Photo
Kohli’s career Test average stands at 48.74, but the numbers indicate that he particularly enjoys batting against Australia on their home turf. In 13 matches, he has scored 1,352 runs at an impressive average of 54.08, well above his career average.
Will Kohli be key in leading India to a third consecutive series win Down Under? Only time will tell. But if the stats are any indication, Australia could be in for a tough time facing Kohli.
Numbers that don’t look promising
In four Tests this year, including the ongoing match with New Zealand, Kohli has managed to score just 227 runs across eight innings at an average of 32.42, with a solitary fifty.
Since the launch of the World Test Championship in 2019, Kohli’s batting has experienced a significant decline, placing him 13th on the list of most runs scored in the WTC with 2404 runs from 39 matches at a mediocre average of 38.77.
In the current ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, he has scored 538 runs in 12 innings over seven matches, averaging 48.90. During this period, he has recorded one century and three fifties, with a highest score of 121.
AFP Photo
The start of the 2020s decade has not been ideal for Kohli in Test cricket. In 32 Tests during this period, he has amassed 1815 runs in 56 innings at an average of 32.92, including two centuries and eight fifties, with a highest score of 186.
However, last year was exceptional for Kohli, as he scored both of his centuries and amassed 671 runs in eight matches at an impressive average of 55.91.
In their quest for their maiden WTC title, India will rely on Kohli to continue his form in the upcoming matches against New Zealand and Australia.