Former Indian batter Suresh Raina feels it would be unfair to judge Virat Kohli’s form on the basis of one series against New Zealand. Virat Kohli could only score 93 runs in three Test matches at an average of 15.50 against the Kiwis and could not deliver despite playing at home.
Furthermore, Kohli scored 99 runs in the Bangladesh series at an average of 33 in two Test matches. Kohli has breached the 50-run mark on one occasion in the last 10 innings and he hasn’t been at his absolute best before Australia series.
However, Kohli has scored 2042 runs in 25 Test matches against Australia at an average of 47.48, including eight centuries. Kohli has even better numbers while playing in Australia as he has scored 1352 runs in 13 Test matches at an impressive average of 54.08, including six centuries.
Raina said credit should be given to New Zealand for outplaying the Indian team despite playing away.
“We need to give credit to New Zealand (for the whitewash). They played really well…Their cricketing ethics are very strong, in every sport. They played better than us, had good spinners…but we couldn’t score much. Virat is doing really well, I think. We can’t judge him from one series,” Raina said in an interview with the Times of India.
On the other hand, head coach Gautam Gambhir has also come under the scanner after the Test series loss against New Zealand. Raina, who shared the dressing room with Gambhir during his career, said the former Delhi player is a good leader and coach.
“I think Gauti bhai was such a player and (now) a coach that even when he used to play, he didn’t pay much attention (to media/public scrutiny). But you know that when you lose, then there will be (comments made) about the coach. But I think he is a good leader and coach,” Raina said in the same interview.
The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.
