Virat Kohli has faced significant challenges during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Typically a venue where he excels, this series has proven difficult for him as his performance in Test cricket continues to decline. At the Sydney Cricket Ground, Kohli once again found himself at the crease for an extended period, yet he could only manage to score 17 runs before succumbing to a recurring issue, edging a delivery outside off-stump from Scott Boland.

Kohli's recent months in Test cricket have been far from favorable. Following his struggles in the first innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, he has found himself among a disappointing group of players with the lowest batting averages since the beginning of 2024.

Since missing the entire series against England earlier this year, Kohli's performances in matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia towards the end of 2024 have yielded a mere 35 runs across 5 innings in the first innings of Test matches. Among players with five or more innings this year, he ranks just above Keshav Maharaj in terms of batting performance.

Lowest batting average in first innings since 2024 (min. 5 innings)

Keshav Mahraj: 5.33

Virat Kohli: 7.00

Shoaib Bashir: 8.33

Jasprit Bumrah: 10.00

The only batter nearing Kohli's average is New Zealand's wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell, who has an average of 12.33, while the nearest specialist batter is Aiden Markram, averaging 14.50 as an opener.

Kohli's difficulties were intensified by Jasprit Bumrah, who surpassed Kohli's score with a late contribution of 22 runs, bringing his total to 70 runs across seven innings, thus raising his average above that of Kohli under these circumstances.

With a mere 84 runs in seven innings this series, excluding his unbeaten century in Perth, Kohli has displayed signs of frustration in recent performances, particularly as he continues to struggle with deliveries outside the off stump. In Sydney, he edged the first ball he faced, with Steven Smith nearly executing a remarkable catch, but Kohli was granted a reprieve when the TV umpire ruled that Smith had grounded the ball.

India was dismissed for 185 runs, with Rishabh Pant being the top scorer of the innings with 40 runs. Nevertheless, there are reasons for optimism within the Indian camp, as the new ball has been effective and the pitch appears to have significant challenges for the batsmen. Bumrah and his teammates will aim to replicate the successful strategy they employed during their victory in Perth earlier in the series.

Read Also: Jasprit Bumrah Voices Discontent Over Washington Sundar's Disputed Out Decision

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!