NEW DELHI: In the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Virat Kohli‘s performance was below his usual standards. He struggled to convert starts into substantial innings, a stark contrast to his reputation as a reliable run-scorer in high-stakes series.
The Australian bowlers consistently targeted his off-stump and used variations effectively to keep him in check.
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Speaking during the Club Prairie Fire podcast which also featured former England captain Michael Vaughan, former Australian great Adam Gilchrist rated the former Indian captain’s performance.
Vaughan brought up the entertainment that was generated by the contentious altercation between Kohli and Sam Konstas over the shoulder bump during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
“He (Virat Kohli) brought the barge, brought up the sandpaper, geed up the crowd. He’s probably run at Konstas faster than I’ve seen anybody run at a player in history of the game. I’m gonna give him a 7/10 for the entertainment that Virat Kohli brings.”
On rating Kohli, Gilchrist said, “We did say that, he’s an all-rounder package. He brings eyeballs to the game, so yeah 7.5/10.”
Kohli’s weaknesses outside off-stump and technical failings eventually made him a walking wicket after a strong start in Perth, where he got to face the old Kookaburra ball and scored a century.
Kohli now averages 32.29 from his last 40 Tests, 22.47 in 2024, and 23.75 from the five Tests Down Under. All eight of his dismissals were identical, caught behind on the off side, trying to drive deliveries on the fifth or sixth stump line.
Scott Boland got Kohli four times, making for one those nice subplots which lit up the series.