At the start of the Sydney Test, when Rohit Sharma was dropped from the side, or maybe he ‘rested’ himself, it did not come as much of a surprise. There were already talks that the skipper for the tour won’t be played in the final Test, after performing poorly in the series so far. He has scored only 31 runs in 3 matches, at an average of 6. Rightly so, Jasprit Bumrah came out to lead the pack, for the second time in the series.
Why Virat Kohli Still in Test Team?
Perhaps, it was the right call not to play Rohit, who was a sitting duck, at the hands of the Aussie bowlers. But then, if Rohit as skipper can be dropped, why can’t other senior member Virat Kohli be dropped from the team, who has been poor, if not as poor as Rohit. Except for that second innings ton in Perth, Virat has been very ordinary, where in eight innings in the series, he has been dismissed seven times, on deliveries outside off.
It seems to have become the norm, that the Aussies start to bowl that fifth stump line to the batter, and Virat just obliges with a wild poke. On Friday, on day one of the Sydney Test, that is again what happened. He nicked one from Boland, and was caught in the slips by Beau Webster. Now, he has scored only 184 runs in 5 matches, at an average of 26 in the series.
Virat’s Poor Record in Tests Since 2020
But it is not that Virat Kohli has been poor in this series, or the one before this. He has been consistently struggling in the longest format for a very long time. Since the start of 2020, he has been poor, by his own high standards. In 39 matches since Jan 2020, he averages only 31, has scored only 2022 runs, scored only three tons and nine fifties. He also has five ducks to his name.
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His struggles in SENA countries is even more apparent. IN Australia, Virat has played 6 Tests since 2020, and scored 262 runs at an average of 29, with one ton and one 50. IN England, he has played 5 Tests, and scored 249 at an average of 27. No tons there. In New Zealand, in two Tests, he has only 38 runs, at an average of 9.50. And in South Africa in 4 matches, he has 333 runs, at an average of 41.
Forget that, he has been poor in India as well. In 16 Tests, he has scored 778 runs at an average of 29. Then why must he continue to be in the team, and only Rohit take a step aside?
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