Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels Virat Kohli’s Test form is a cause of concern for the team. Kohli returned with scores of 1 and 17 in the second Test match against New Zealand, which the hosts lost by 113 runs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Saturday.
Kohli has scored only two Test centuries in the last five years and hasn’t been at his absolute best. The Indian superstar has scored 1969 runs in 35 Test matches in the last five years at an average of 33.94, which is well-below his lofty standards.
The right-hander from Delhi had scored a fine knock of 70 runs in the second innings at Bengaluru but could not keep up the good show in Pune.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Is Virat Kohli’s Test form a concern? He has scored only two centuries in the last five years. It’s a concern if you see his numbers for the last five years and that was before the start of this Test match. He played only six innings in 2020 and had an average of 19. He played 19 innings in 2021 but had an average of 28, with no century.”
While Kohli scored his runs at an average of 26 in 2022, his average in the ongoing year is around 32.
“In 2022, he played 11 innings, again an average of 26, with no century. He did score two centuries in 2023 for sure, the average jumped to 55, but let’s also remember that one century came in a drawn game on a flat pitch in Ahmedabad. You won’t rate that too much. This year as well, he was going at an average of 32 in eight innings and now this Test match has also passed,” Chopra observed while shedding light on Kohli’s numbers in the last three years.
The renowned commentator highlighted that India needs Kohli’s contribution to savour success in Test matches.
“It’s always going to be a concern if Virat Kohli doesn’t score runs or scores less runs because he is a mighty player and you make your entire game plan around Virat Kohli. This team requires his form and contribution even more because Rohit (Sharma) is at the top and Kohli is in the middle, the rest around them are all kids,” he reasoned.
Chopra noted that Kohli’s form is important for India as youngsters are known to play aggressively in the modern era.
“All kids play big shots, they play in their own way, my way or the highway. In such a scenario, Virat Kohli not only scoring big runs but also batting two to two-and-a-half sessions will be the calming influence. He will drive the game and things can revolve around him. He will want to be the pivot and it will be a problem if he doesn’t become that,” Chopra elaborated.
The third and final Test match between India and New Zealand will be played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai from November 1 onwards.
