Virat Kohli’s struggles in Test cricket continued as he was dismissed for just three runs in the first innings of the third Test against Australia at the Gabba. His ongoing lean patch has pushed his career average to 47.9, the lowest it has been in eight years, raising concerns about his future in the longest format of the game.
A Declining Trend in Kohli’s Test Career
Kohli’s recent form in Test cricket has been a shadow of his earlier dominance. The year 2024 has been particularly underwhelming, with the star batter managing only 376 runs in 17 innings, including just one century and a solitary fifty. This marked decline has put Kohli at risk of finishing the year with his worst-ever average in a calendar year where he has played at least 10 innings.
His current average for 2024 stands at 25.06, matching his previous career-low from 2022. This stark contrast to his career peak in 2019, when his average soared to 55.10, has left fans and analysts wondering if the 36-year-old can regain his form in Test cricket.
The Gabba and Series Woes
The Gabba dismissal was yet another instance of Kohli falling prey to deliveries outside the off-stump. His scores in the series reflect his ongoing battle with form—7 and 11 in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, followed by 3 at Brisbane. Allan Border, the former Australian great, expressed doubts over whether Kohli still possesses the sharp edge that made him one of the world’s best batters.
Kohli entered the series with high hopes of a revival, especially after his century in the Perth opener, which also helped him re-enter the ICC Test rankings’ top 20. However, the century turned out to be a fleeting moment of brilliance in an otherwise disappointing tour.
Kohli’s Average Hits Historic Low
The first innings at the Gabba saw Kohli’s Test average fall below 48 for the first time since 2016. Back then, his average dipped to 47.50 during a home series against England before skyrocketing to a career-high 55.10 in 2019. Kohli maintained an average above 50 for six consecutive years until it dropped during the 2022 series against Sri Lanka.
Despite his prolific start to Test cricket, including hitting 50 as his average milestone in his 52nd Test, Kohli has struggled to maintain consistency in recent years. Another 50 Test matches later, his average has fallen below that mark, casting doubt on his ability to reclaim his past form.
A Tough Year Across Formats
Apart from a T20 World Cup triumph in June, 2024 has been a challenging year for Kohli across formats. His Test numbers are among his worst, and his ODI and T20I performances have been equally disappointing. In T20Is, Kohli averaged just 18 across 10 innings, marking his lowest performance in any calendar year where he batted at least 10 times.
As India looks ahead to its next assignments, questions remain about Kohli’s place and future in the Test format. Can the former captain turn his fortunes around, or is the curtain beginning to fall on his illustrious Test career?
