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A total of 1,838 runs from 34 Tests at an average of 31.68 certainly indicates the lean patch that Kohli has been experiencing lately.
Ricky Ponting reacts to the dip in Virat Kohli’s form in Test cricket
As Team India prepares for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli. The former India captain has been striving to rediscover his form in Test cricket, and his recent performances against Bangladesh and New Zealand have raised concerns.
Kohli averaged just above 15 against New Zealand, failing to reach a century in the three-match series, which India lost 0-3. In fact, the 36-year-old has been far from his best in the longest format over the past two years. In 14 matches since February 2022, the former Indian captain has managed just two centuries and three fifty-plus scores.
Ricky Ponting has described the recent dip in Kohli’s form as ‘concerning’. However, the former Australia captain believes that Kohli possesses the ability to turn his fortunes around.
“I saw a stat the other day about Virat, it said he’s only scored two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years. That didn’t seem right to me, but if that is right, then that is, I mean, that’s a concern. There wouldn’t be anyone else probably even playing international cricket as a top-order batsman that’s only scored two Test match hundreds in five years,” Ponting said on the latest episode of ICC Review.
“There’s no doubt, he’s a great of the game. He loves playing against Australia. In fact, I know he loves playing against Australia. And as I said, his record (in Australia) is very good.
“If there’s a time for him to turn it around, it’d be this series. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see Virat make runs in the first game,” he added.
A total of 1,838 runs from 34 Tests at an average of 31.68 certainly indicates the lean patch that Kohli has been experiencing lately. The upcoming series in Australia could be a make-or-break opportunity for Kohli. According to several media reports, the BCCI is likely to make a decision on his Test future, and that of Rohit Sharma, if they fail to perform in Australia.
