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Virat Kohli may have scored a century in the Perth Test but looked off colour in the Adelaide Test managing a combined 18 runs in the contest.
Virat Kohli has endured a mixed start to the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. (AP Photo)
The fluent century Virat Kohli peeled off in India’s 295-run win over Australia in the Perth Test signaled a return to form. Such was the impact of that knock that former Australia captain Michael Clarke feared for Pat Cummins’ men for having allowed the India batting superstar to get back in touch. However, in the second Test in Adelaide, Kohli could only manage 18 runs across the two innings as India crumbled to a 10-wicket defeat.
Kohli’s tendency to latch onto deliveries outside off was exploited as in both the digs, he was out edging behind. So far, he has managed 611 runs at an average of 22.62 from 21 Tests in 2024 with the Perth century being his lone three-figure score in the format so far.
With South Africa crushing Sri Lanka 2-0 in a two-match Test series at home, India’s chances of qualifying for the final of ICC World Test Championship have taken another hit. While one more win will be enough for South Africa to ensure a top-two finish and hence a final spot, India cannot afford to lose another Test on their ongoing Australia tour if they want to qualify for the title clash on their own.
And for that to happen, India need their top batters to step up including Kohli.
Legendary allrounder Kapil Dev feels that such is Kohli’s stature and achievements that only he can get himself out from this rut.
“Virat Kohli is one of the best cricketers we have seen in our country. If you put top four batsmen, he will be there. If he is going through a rough time, it is only up to him how fast he can bounce back,” Kapil told reporters on Monday.
Kapil has also dismissed the idea that the time has come for Jasprit Bumrah to be named India’s full-time Test captain. The 1983 ODI World Cup winning captain feels that judging a top player like Rohit Sharma on a few bad performances isn’t right.
“I think it is too early to talk about that. With one performance, you can’t say he is the best, and with one bad performance, you can’t say he doesn’t deserve it. Let a player play a lot of cricket, take on a lot of captaincy. Ups and downs will come, and then you judge a person by how he reacts in difficult times, not in good times,” he said.
