Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has predicted that Virat Kohli won’t be able to surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s run tally in Test matches. The former Indian batter amassed 15921 runs in 200 Test matches at an impressive average of 53.79, including 51 centuries.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli, 35, has amassed 8871 runs in 114 Test matches at an average of 48.74, including 29 Test centuries. Kohli is 35 runs away from reaching 27000 International runs and he would look to keep up the good show.
Meanwhile, Kohli returned with scores of 6 and 17 in the opening Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, which India won by a gargantuan margin of 280 runs. The right-hander decided not to go for the review despite getting an inside edge onto his pad in the second innings. Ergo, Kohli will look to come up with an improved show in the second Test.
Brad Hogg said on his YouTube Channel, “I don’t think Virat is going to get there now. I just don’t think Virat is going to get there. I think he’s lost his momentum and the momentum that he’s lost has been for a number of years now. He’s got to turn around in the next 10 Test matches, or he’s going to drop off.”
On the other hand, Hogg reckons England’s veteran batter Joe Root has a realistic chance of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s Test runs tally.
“So, Joe Root has 146 Test matches with 12,000 runs. Sachin Tendulkar made nearly 16,000 runs in 200 Test matches. That’s 4,000 runs in 66 Tests. I think Joe Root can go close to toppling that.
“I think it’s going to be something to watch. Watch out, Joe Root is on the move to beat Sachin Tendulkar. I think quietly he’ll have that in the back of his mind to try and topple that little unique stat.”
Root has mustered 12402 runs in 146 Test matches at an average of 50.62.
