By: Rishabh Sharma
November 5th marks the 36th birthday of India’s batting icon, Virat Kohli. As the cricketing world wishes batting maestro a happy birthday, Kohli finds himself at a critical juncture in his illustrious career. Recent poor performances have raised concerns about his form, sparking debates about his future in the team India.
Kohli’s numbers against New Zealand in the recent 3-match Test series make for grim reading: 93 runs in 6 innings at an average of 15.50, with a highest score of 70. Alarmingly, this series average is the worst of his Test career at home, where he has batted at least 6 innings. His Test average has dipped below 48 (47.83) for the first time since November 2016, plummeting from its peak of 55.10 in October 2019.
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As Team India gears up for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Kohli’s role becomes paramount. The five match Test series, starting on November 22nd, will be a litmus test for the veteran batsman. Australia’s formidable pace attack, coupled with the challenging conditions Down Under, will put Kohli’s skills to the ultimate test.
Fortunately Kohli has consistently excelled against Australia in Tests, especially playing in Australia with around 1352 Runs of 13 Tests, 6 centuries with 4 fifties, Virat has a decent record to showcase. This impressive record could work in Kohli’s favor, but the stakes are higher this time.
At 36, this might be Kohli’s last tour of Australia as a player. The milestone adds emotional significance to the series, as Kohli seeks to sign off on a high note.
India’s World Test Championship (WTC) ambitions hang in the balance, with Kohli’s form crucial to the team’s success. A poor showing in the BGT series will end India’s WTC final hopes. It will raise questions about Kohli’s future in the team and same may also Intensify pressure on coach Gautam Gambhir.
Needless to say that Kohli’s ability to score big hundreds will be crucial in Australia’s challenging conditions.
As a senior pro, Kohli must lead by example, guiding the younger players through tough situations. More importantly his presence in the middle order will be vital in stabilizing the innings and building partnerships.
(A Turning Point)
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy presents an opportunity for Kohli to silence his critics and reaffirm his status as one of the world’s best batsmen in modern era including Fab-4. A strong performance will not only boost his confidence but also inspire the team to success.
Also Read: On This Day, November 5: When Virat Kohli Matched Sachin Tendulkar’s Epic Feat!
To be honest bother hard reality says, As Kohli celebrates his 36th birthday, he is aware that his legacy is at stake. With 80 international centuries, he is still among the all-time greats.
The BGT series in Australia will be a defining chapter in Kohli’s storied career. Will he bounce back to reclaim his spot among the world’s elite, or will his struggles continue? Only time will tell.
