After being out of form for almost three years, Virat Kohli made a good comeback in the last months of 2022. He scored the first century of his career in T20 International and ended the drought of centuries in ODI cricket as well. Although he is still not seen in the old style in Test cricket.
In such a situation, the question arises whether Virat will be able to end this wait in the four-Test series against Australia starting on 9 February. The exact answer to this question will be available only after the series starts. In this story, we will see how Virat has played so far in the Test against Australia. We will also know which bowler can create the most problems for Kohli.
First look at Kohli's struggle since 1172 days
Virat scored his last Test century against Bangladesh in November 2019. It has been 1172 days since his century came in red ball cricket. Since then he has played 20 Test matches. Six half-centuries came in these, but not a century. During this, Virat's average also remained the same at 26.20 and he could score only 917 runs. He could not do much in the last Test series against Bangladesh as well. He scored only 45 runs in 2 matches.
Virat was failing on Australia's last tour of India
Although Kohli's record against Australia is very impressive, his bat has been silent against Australia in India. In the 2017 series, Virat could score only 46 runs in 3 matches. He also missed a test match due to an injury.
His average in that series also remained the same at 9.20. Earlier in 2013, the Australian team came on a tour of India. Then Virat scored 217 runs in 4 matches with the help of 1 century. In this way, against Australia on Indian soil, Kohli has so far been able to score only 1 century in 7 Tests.
Overall good record against Australia
Kohli may not have batted very well in India against Australia, but his bat has spoken fiercely in Australia. Of his 7 centuries against the Kangaroos, 6 have come in Australia. Because of this, his performance against Australia looks good overall. In 20 Tests against Australia, he has scored a total of 1,682 runs at an average of 48.05. This includes 7 centuries and 5 half-centuries.
Nathan Lyon can become the biggest challenge
Australia's off-spinner Nathan Lyon can become the biggest challenge against Virat Kohli in this four-Test series. Lion has dismissed Kohli 7 times in Test cricket. No other bowler in the world has got Kohli out more times in this format than Lion. England's James Anderson is definitely on par with Lion. Lion spinners become even more dangerous for Kohli on Indian pitches. He dismissed Virat 4 times in 6 matches in India. In these, he was LBW 3 times. Virat averages 40.25 against the Lions in India, which is lower than his overall average of 50.42 against the Lions.
Cummins also bothers
Apart from Lion, Australian team captain and fast bowler Pat Cummins also troubles Virat a lot. In 6 matches against Virat, Cummins has dismissed him 5 times. During this, Kohli's average has also remained the same at 27.20. Although Cummins has bowled only once in front of Virat in India. Apart from Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc have dismissed Kohli 3-3 times in 11-11 matches.
Strong form in white ball cricket
As you read at the beginning of the news that Kohli has achieved excellent form in white ball cricket, ie ODIs and T20s. After scoring his maiden T20 International century against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, he also scored a lot during the T20 World Cup in Australia. He became the highest run scorer (296) in the tournament. After the tournament, he also scored an ODI century against Bangladesh. Not only this, but he also gave proof of his being in better form by scoring 2 centuries against Sri Lanka at the beginning of the year. The fans will only hope that this brilliant rhythm of his will remain intact in Test cricket as well.
First Test from 9 February
Once again the same kangaroo team is standing in front of Virat, on which Virat does not shy away from showing dominance. In such a situation, it will be important to see how Kohli performs in the first Test starting on February 9 in Nagpur. After 9, the second Test is to be played in Delhi from 17 February, the third in Dharamshala from 1 March, and the fourth in Ahmedabad from 8 March. That means Virat has enough time to get his Test form back.
India has had BGT since 2017
Kohli's Test record hasn't been great in the last few years, but it hasn't affected India's performance much. India has consecutively won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) after defeating Australia 2-1 in the Test series at home in 2017. In 2018-19 and 2020-21, India defeated Australia in their home series.
At the same time, since 1996 in India, the Australian team has won the Test series only once. In 2004, the team defeated India 2-1. Since then, the team played 14 Tests in India but won only one match. After capturing BGT for the last 3 times, India would like to win the series for the fourth time in a row.
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