IND vs SA LIVE: Virat Kohli ends 2021 without a century- The wait for Virat Kohli’s century completed two whole years. Indian Test captain could only score 18 off 32 balls in the second innings against South Africa in the first Test. The last time he scored a century was back in November 2019 against Bangladesh and the barren run continues. Follow India vs South Africa live updates on InsideSport.IN
Kohli had departed for just 35 runs in the first innings. He got caught out to Wiaan Lungi off Lungi Ngidi despite spending quality time (94 balls) at the crease. In the second innings, all it took to rattle his concentration was the lunch break. With left-arm seamer Marco Jansen in the attack, he nicked one to Quinton de Kock on the first delivery after lunch.
IND vs SA LIVE: Virat Kohli spends two whole years without a century, extends drought to 768 days
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- India Test skipper Kohli last slammed his international century on November 22, 2019, against Bangladesh.
- He is undergoing a century jinx in the last 22 innings, spanning 768 days. Since then, he has only managed 5 half-centuries in the longest format.
- His average has dipped in the last couple of years to just 26.84 while his career average was 54.97 before that.
- Virat Kohli got good starts during the India tour of England but failed to convert them into triple-figure scores.
- Virat Kohli batter was the highest run-scorer for India in the 2018 tour when he scored 286 runs at an average of 47.66 in three matches. The swashbuckling had slammed 153 at SuperSport Park, Centurion in 2018 and will look to repeat history.
- He remains key if India wants to win their maiden Test series in SA. Kohli would certainly look to let his bat do the talking after the controversial ODI captaincy change.
IND vs SA LIVE: Virat Kohli spends two whole years without a century, extends drought to 768 days
Before his last century against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Virat Kohli averaged 54.97 smashing 27 Test centuries. But since then, his batting stats have nosedived. In 14 matches since his last century, Virat Kohli has averaged 26.08 scoring only 652 runs without any ton in Test cricket. He has just scored five half-centuries.
Former India skipper and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar who earlier advised Virat Kohli to seek help from Sachin Tendulkar lamented the loose shot he was dismissed on.
IND vs SA LIVE: Virat Kohli spends two whole years without a century, extends drought to 768 days
“You’ve got to say that was a loose shot, first ball after lunch. Every batsman, when he resumes, gives himself a little time, particularly in Test cricket – gives himself a little time to get his feet moving,” Sunil Gavaskar said during commentary.
“Any interval, even if it’s a short four-minute drinks interval, after that you’ve still got to reset your batting. Kohli is such an experienced batsman but maybe at the back of his mind, he is looking to get quick runs, so that the declaration can be done,” Gavaskar added.
IND vs SA LIVE: Virat Kohli spends two whole years without a century, extends drought to 768 days
| Year | Mat | Inns | NO | 100s | 50s | 0s | HS | Runs | Avg | S/R |
| 2011 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 63 | 202 | 22.44 | 42.71 |
| 2012 | 9 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 116 | 689 | 49.21 | 46.74 |
| 2013 | 8 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 119 | 616 | 56.00 | 54.66 |
| 2014 | 10 | 20 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 169 | 847 | 44.58 | 60.54 |
| 2015 | 9 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 147 | 640 | 42.67 | 54.05 |
| 2016 | 12 | 18 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 235 | 1215 | 75.94 | 60.42 |
| 2017 | 10 | 16 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 243 | 1059 | 75.64 | 76.24 |
| 2018 | 13 | 24 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 153 | 1322 | 55.08 | 54.34 |
| 2019 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 254* | 612 | 68.00 | 63.29 |
| 2020 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 74 | 116 | 19.33 | 40.99 |
| 2021 | 11 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 72 | 536 | 28.21 | 44.07 |
| Summary | 98 | 165 | 10 | 27 | 27 | 14 | 254* | 7836 | 50.55 | 56.28 |
IND vs SA LIVE: Virat Kohli spends two whole years without a century, extends drought to 768 days
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