India’s 10-wicket to defeat Australia in the Pink-Ball Test in Adelaide last Sunday has raised criticism of the senior batters, including Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma. This loss has raised criticism of star batter Virat Kohli, who was dismissed for 7 and 11 across the two innings of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Virat Kohli, on Tuesday, was shaken up up a hard-hitting reality on his ongoing struggle in Test cricket as West Indies’ fast bowling legend Andy Roberts lost all hope of revival despite a century Perth against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series opener. Team India suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat at the hands of Australia in the pink-ball Test match at the Adelaide Oval.
Virat Kohli’s current form a space for criticism and concern amongst the cricketing world
Since the start of 2020, Virat Kohli has scored 1961 runs in 64 innings at 32.14, with only three centuries and nine fifties. Among the Fab Four, Virat Kohli ranks the lowest in terms of average, with Kane Williamson leading the overall chart of cricketers who have at least batted in 25 innings since 2020. Moreover, among all the players who batted for India in the top 7 during this period, Virat Kohli finds his name only ahead of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, both of whom were dropped in 2023 following a lean run of form.
The 36-year-old Virat Kohli’s Test average has plunged to an eight-year low of 47.72. In 2024, Virat Kohli averages 26.64 after 16 innings, his lowest for any calendar year where he has appeared in at least 10 innings. He has only aggregated three Test hundreds since 2020. The former India captain fell for scores of 7 and 11 in Adelaide, caught behind on both occasions.
Virat Kohli faced a lot of criticism in the lead-up to the tour of Australia, following a lean run of form, including the performance against New Zealand at home, Australia great Ricky Ponting had pointed out that the 36-year-old scored only two centuries in the last five years, as he questioned if any other top-order batter would have survived a similar run in international cricket.
Virat Kohli was quick to shut the criticism with his 81st international century, his first Test ton in 16 months, in Perth as India won by a record margin of 295 runs. But Roberts, speaking to Mid Day, showed Kohli the larger picture. Despite labelling him as “one of the best batsmen of all-time,” Roberts highlighted that Kohli has struggled in the format over the last five years, which he believed as due to his lack of focus in the traditional format of the game.
West Indies legend Andy Roberts blunt take on Virat Kohli assessment after India’s Adelaide defeat in 2nd test
Legendary West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts recently commented on Team India’s ace batter Virat Kohli’s underwhelming red-ball form. He emphasized that the former captain has been struggling in the longest format for almost five years.
Virat Kohli’s form was under the scanner in the build-up to the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia. He showed glimpses of his vintage self with an unbeaten 100-run knock in the opening fixture at Perth. However, he registered scores of 7 and 11 in the subsequent Adelaide pink ball Test.
Roberts urged Kohli to concentrate on Test cricket if he wants to get out of his rut. Speaking to mid-day, West Indies pace legend Andy Roberts didn’t mince his words as he expressed doubts over India’s revival in the five-match series.
“I don’t know if there will be a revival after the Adelaide defeat, but get your batting right. One of your best batsmen of all-time has been struggling for the last five years.
Virat Kohli has scored only three Test hundreds since 2020. In 2024, the 36-year-old averages 26.64 after 16 innings while his overall Test average has slumped to 47.72.
“He needs to be focused on the longer version of the game. You will get runs and score heavily in Test cricket only when you are fully focused on the longer form. The standard of Test cricket is not the same. The top batsmen look as if they are struggling.”
Many experts backed Virat Kohli to regain his mojo in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, given his stellar record on Australian soil. However, with three failures in four innings, the veteran batter is in desperate need of a turnaround.
The 73-year-old also questioned India’s decision to bat first in the pink-ball Test. India’s first innings folded for 180 in 44.1 overs before the hosts took a huge lead of 157 runs. The visitors were bowled out for 175 in the second essay, setting a paltry 19-run target for Australia.
“Why did you guys bat first [in Adelaide]. India’s fast bowlers bowled Australia out cheaply in both innings (104 and 238) at Perth. If my fast bowlers out bowl the opposition pacers in the previous Test, I’m not going to give the rivals the first preference in the next Test. Remember, you are not playing on Indian pitches,” Roberts remarked.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy currently stands level at 1-1, with the third Test scheduled to be held in Brisbane from December 14.