Is It time for Indian selectors to get worried about Virat Kohli’s Test form?

Virat Kohli came into the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh high on expectations. The 35-year-old last played a Test match against South Africa earlier this year. Chennai fans stood in unison to cheer the former Indian skipper onto the crease at the fall of Shubman Gill’s wicket. 

However, six runs off 6 balls was what Kohli could score as he was dismissed by Hasan Mahmud. The mode of dismissal was similar to what has been a regular for the former skipper. Seeing a ball thrown outside the off-stump, Kohli went for a wild drive. The ball caught the edge of the bat and Litton Das did the rest and took an easy catch. 

There is no doubt that Kohli is one of the best modern-day batters. When in full flow, he makes batting look easy. Over the last few years, though, the former Indian skipper’s numbers in the Test format have taken a huge beating. 

Is Virat Kohli’s Test numbers on a downward spiral?

When he was the captain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli was the best batter in the world. His numbers from 2016 to 2019 were out of this world, as only Steve Smith came closer to achieving the feat.

The Delhi-born cricketer had played 43 Test matches and scored 4208 runs from 69 innings with an average of 73.82. He had also hit 16 centuries and 10 half-centuries. The numbers for the great batter began to fall in the next few years.

Between 2020-2022, Kohli played 20 Test matches and scored 917 runs with an average of 30. The former Indian skipper had scored just 6 fifties during his time period. Compared to the likes of Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson, the Indian ace had fallen behind the pecking order. 

The question now arises if the Indian selectors can be brutal against Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane, why not Kohli? In 2023, Virat Kohli played 8 matches and scored 671 runs with 2 centuries and 2 fifties with an average of 55. His first century for over three and half years came on a batting-friendly track in Ahmedabad.

The second ton came against West Indies on a good batting track as the Test ended in a draw. In the case of Virat Kohli, the runs haven’t been easy. 

Question marks ahead of huge tours ahead

After the home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, the Indian side will travel to Australia. In 2025, Team India is more or less likely to play the World Test Championships finals. This will be followed by a huge five-match series against England where the ball will swing and seam. 

This isn’t the first time that Kohli has been dismissed while looking to go for the drive. Scott Boland had dismissed him in a similar manner during the 2nd innings of the World Test Championships finals as well. Over the years, James Anderson had got the wicket of Kohli with these tactics with relative ease.  

The likes of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Tim Southee will be watching closely. All the aforementioned pacers have the ability to probe around the 4th and 5th stump line which has troubled Virat Kohli. Many fans will question if the Indian selectors need to have a quiet word with Kohli about his form in the longest format. 

With the likes of Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad breathing down his neck, Virat Kohli will be a worried man. The next 9 innings will be crucial for the former Indian skipper to get back to his prime form as a huge season beckons. If the failures continue, the tough questions will be asked. If Rahane and Pujara can be asked? Why not Virat Kohli?