India’s star batter Virat Kohli has seen a new low in his career. The better is having a challenging career. Experts and pundits thought that IND vs AUS series will be the breakthrough for Virat, but unfortunately, he has had a disappointing outing in the series so far. In the first Test match at Perth, the 36-year-old, fell cheaply for 5 runs.
His recent form, particularly in Test cricket, has raised concerns among fans and experts alike. The star’s consistency has seen a sharp dip in recent years, and this has been evident in the ongoing first Test of the series.
Kohli’s stellar rise and recent decline
Kohli’s international career began in 2008 with a modest average of 31.80, but his transformation into one of the best batter in the world was swift. By 2016, Kohli’s batting average had skyrocketed to 86.50, with multiple centuries and a reputation as one of the most dominant players across formats.
However, since 2020, his form has seen a big decline, and his now current average of just 19.72 in 2024 is a stark contrast to his earlier years of brilliance.
Virat Kohli’s average in International cricket
2008 – 31.80
2009 – 54.16
2010 – 48.61
2011 – 39.14
2012 – 53.31
2013 – 53.13
2014 – 55.75
2015 – 38.44
2016 – 86.50
2017 – 68.73
2018 – 68.37
2019 – 64.60
2020 – 36.60
2021 – 37.07
2022 – 38.51
2023 – 66.06
2024 – 𝟭𝟵.𝟳𝟮
Kohli’s form in Test cricket: A rollercoaster ride
In Test cricket, Kohli’s journey has been a mixture of highs and lows. His earlier years (2011-2019) were seen by incredible consistency. From 2011, when he scored just 202 runs at an average of 22.44, to his peak in 2016 with 1215 runs at an average of 75.93, Kohli became a beast in Test cricket. His ability to perform in challenging conditions, be it Australia, England or any other country, he performed brilliantly.
However, post-2020, Kohli’s form in Tests has suffered. In 2020, his average dropped drastically to 19.33, and it has failed to recover since then. His struggles were evident in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, with averages of 28.21 and 26.50, respectively. While Kohli showed signs of a comeback in 2023 with an average of 55.91, his recent performance in 2024 has been concerning, as his average has fallen to a new low of 21.25.
Is this the end of Virat Kohli?
The ongoing series highlights these concerns, especially after Kohli’s cheap dismissal in the first Test. With score of 5 in the first innings, Kohli seemed to be at odds with his usual confident self. The repeated failures to convert starts into big scores, combined with the lack of impact in crucial moments, have raised doubts.
His struggles have been divided to a range of factors, including technical flaws, mental pressure, and the increasing challenges posed by top-quality bowling attacks. The dip in form has also overlapped with the emergence of new players in the Indian team, making it harder for Kohli to regain his place as the team’s leader with the bat.
Kohli’s future in Test cricket
Kohli’s fight for form continues, and only time will tell whether he can overcome these hurdles and return to his prime. His legacy, however, remains intact, and he remains one of India’s most accomplished players. But the pressing question for now is that, can Virat Kohli find his rhythm again in Test cricket, or will the 2024 season mark the beginning of a new phase in his career, where he is no longer the undoubted cornerstone of India’s batting line-up?
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