January 3, 2025: Virat Kohli, the talismanic Indian cricketer who has been a pillar of the team for over a decade, is currently going through one of his roughest patches in international cricket, particularly in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia. Despite holding numerous records and achieving several accolades in Test cricket, his recent performances have left fans and analysts questioning his form, especially when the team needs him the most.
Kohli had started the 2024-25 BGT series on a high, with a stunning century (100* off 143 balls) in the second innings of the Perth Test, helping India secure a massive 295-run victory. Fans were optimistic, hoping that this knock would spark a consistent run of form for Kohli. However, the very next Test at Adelaide Oval brought disappointment.
In the Adelaide Test, Kohli’s form crumbled as he was dismissed cheaply in both innings. In the first innings, he managed just 7 runs off 8 balls, dismissed by Mitchell Starc, and in the second innings, he could only muster 11 runs off 21 balls before falling to the relentless Scott Boland. Australia leveled the series 1-1 after a comprehensive 10-wicket victory, and India’s hopes of taking a commanding lead were dashed.
Next, in Brisbane for the third Test, Kohli’s struggles continued. Despite the rain-affected draw, Kohli’s form remained under the spotlight. In the first innings, he was dismissed for just 3 runs off 16 balls by Josh Hazlewood, continuing a sequence of failures.
The Melbourne Test saw more of the same. Kohli could only manage 36 runs off 86 balls in the first innings, struggling to find his rhythm. He was dismissed again by Boland, and in the second innings, he was dismissed for a paltry 5 runs off 29 balls by Starc. India suffered a crushing 184-run defeat, and with it, their hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final 2023-2025 began to fade.
Now, in the Sydney Test, Kohli’s batting woes have persisted. He made just 17 runs off 69 balls, once again falling to the ever-threatening Boland. This marks the third time in the series that Kohli has been dismissed by the Australian pacer. Throughout the series, Kohli has been dismissed seven times, with all of these dismissals coming from outside off-stump deliveries that he has edged to the slips or the wicketkeeper.
Scott Boland has become Kohli’s worst nightmare in Test cricket. Kohli has faced Boland in six innings, scoring only 32 runs at a dismal strike rate of 32.65. His average against Boland stands at a paltry 8, having been dismissed by him four times across multiple series, including the ongoing BGT series. This remarkable stat highlights how effectively Boland has troubled Kohli, and Kohli’s struggles against the pacer have become a major talking point.
Kohli’s current poor form in Test cricket is not only a personal setback but a growing concern for India, especially with a Test series that could determine their fate in the World Test Championship. With India’s batting lineup undergoing a transition, Kohli’s leadership and experience are pivotal for the team’s success.
While the 36-year-old has been a stalwart for India, and his track record suggests that he’s capable of bouncing back, the pressure is mounting. Fans, however, continue to hope that the king of run-chases will find his form soon, with the expectation that Kohli will soon return to his old self and lead India with the bat once again.
His struggles in the ongoing BGT series, particularly against Boland, may just be a temporary setback. But in the world of professional sport, such dry patches are a reminder of how even the greatest players face their demons. Kohli’s ability to overcome these challenges will be key not only for his career but for India’s success in the longer format. Fans are waiting for that moment when he silences his critics and shows the world the champion he truly is.
Mumbai, January 5: The highly anticipated teaser for Shahid Kapoor's upcoming film Deva has finally…
Sydney [Australia], January 5: Steven Smith's quest for 10,000 Test runs ended in heartbreak on…
Sydney [Australia], January 5: Following India's 1-3 series defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former Indian…
Mumbai, January 5: With the release date of ‘Azaad’ approaching, the makers have unveiled the…
Mumbai, January 5: Ahead of the highly anticipated release of Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi's…
Los Angeles [US], January 5: Actress Nicole Kidman delivered an emotional tribute to her late…