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[PICTURES] Is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (2024-25) the final frontier for Virat Kohli's Test career?

Now it appears it won't be the last as India is defacto into the final of ICC WTC 2025. With second place up for grab
 
Virat Kohli's Test cricket slump continues after falling to Mitchell Santner on Day 2 of the 2nd Test between India and New Zealand. Kohli's struggles have led to a significant decline in his averages since 2020, with just 1816 runs from 33 matches at 33.01, and his Test average dropping from 54.97 in 2019 to 48.48. Kohli's vulnerability to spin, particularly left-arm spinners (avg 22.70), has contributed to his woes.
 
If Virat Kohli's test average ends up being close to David Warner at the end of his career it will be one of the greatest tragedies in cricket.
 
Kohli should retire after bgt and let others worry about the performance /team.mostly we can't make it wtc finals and he don't have to struggle again in eng for torturing fans.If he plays ct,it should be his last
 
While speaking on a sports media platform, Dinesh Karthik suggested that Virat Kohli should return to domestic cricket:

"Virat Kohli has not had it easy, the series has not been good to him, three out of four innings, he has disappointed. It's obviously a recurring partner where spinners have troubled him, and I think he will go and figure out what he needs to do to come out stronger. He is a man, who is searching for answers. When you reach that level of genius and super stardom, you will be thrown challenges and here is another challenge. India likes to play on pitches that aids spin, what is his gameplan?"

"We all know what he is capable of, this series was not meant to be. Like the fans have been saying, he has not done it for a long time and that we cannot run away from. We don't want to sugarcoat it because we want to be as objective in assessing any player, any performance, at the moment. Virat Kohli's Test record in the last 2-3 years, has not been great against spin."
 
He has been total failure in the NZ home series so far let's see what he can bring to the table on BGT tour.
 
BouncerGuy said:
He is not gonna do anything there as well. It is just a farewell tour for him. Nothing more.
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Did you know india main team refused to play india A lmao. They said they will do intra tournament game instead. Got scared of india A
 
Michael Clarke, ex-Australia captain, recently appeared on a podcast to share his insight:

"India know they've played well out here in Australia and they'll still come here with plenty of talent & that self-belief, but hopefully fresh. That's the key for the Indian players. Virat Kohli - you can't be that good for such a long period of time and just turn the tap off. So once he freshens up, and Rohit Sharma the same, you'll see the best of them.”
 
KL Rahul has already flopped and he is just his soul mate. Already failed against NZ but BCCi dumb enough to give him another chance.
 
Nah Kohli-led India won in Australia in 2018-19.
Winning a test series in SA and NZ would be his final frontiers alongside WTC win but watching him bat these days is painful.
Different from how he was batting during his lean run in 2020-21.
 
BunnyRabbit said:
Nah Kohli-led India won in Australia in 2018-19.
Winning a test series in SA and NZ would be his final frontiers alongside WTC win but watching him bat these days is painful.
Different from how he was batting during his lean run in 2020-21.
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WTC win can’t be his final frontier it was invented in last legs for him.

Yes on SA series, that’s for entire Indian team.
 
Former India batter Suresh Raina, during an interview with local media, said:

"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."

"The most important role will be of Virat Kohli. I remember when we went there in 2014-15, Virat made four hundreds. And at that time, all top cricketers were playing. I remember he made hundreds in both the innings of the Adelaide Test. I didn't play that game but was sitting outside and saw his ruthless approach. He was so strong with his body language."
 
Virat has already arrived in India almost a week ago, no excuse for him to flop in the upcoming series.
 
He has conquered Australia already.

Final frontier would have been playing in Pakistan but the GOI deprived him of this opportunity.

Now his career will be tainted by the absence of playing in Pakistan.
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Now his career will be tainted by the absence of playing in Pakistan.
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Kohli had the most number of memorable performance against Pakistan than any players played in history of limited over cricket .

Don Bradman career remembered as tainted because he was not played any test against Pakistan.

Pakistan fans and their logic . :dw
 
Ravi Shastri’s message for Virat Kohli’s doubters

Former India coach Ravi Shastri believes star batter Virat Kohli can turn around his recent poor run and prosper during the side's upcoming Test tour of Australia.

Kohli has endured an indifferent run across all formats over the last few months, with the 36-year-old managing just one half-century and averaging only 21.33 across five Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand since the start of the year.

The veteran looked below his best during India's recent 3-0 series whitewash at the hands of New Zealand, but Shastri is predicting a prompt return to form during the five-match Test series in Australia that will be crucial in deciding who reaches next year's ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's.

“Well, the King is back in his territory. That's all I will tell them,” Shastri told host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent episode of The ICC Review when asked what his message was for Kohli doubters.

“When you've earned that title after your exploits in Australia, it will be on your (opponent's) mind when you go out to bat.”

Shastri was referring to Kohli’s exceptional performances in Australia thus far - including a fighting Test ton in Adelaide in his first-ever Test tour in 2011/12, a staggering 692 runs at 86.50 from his four Tests during his second visit in 2014 and captaining India to their first-ever series win in the country in 2018/19 during which he scored an exceptional 123 in Perth.

In the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand, not only were Kohli’s numbers down - 15.50 runs per innings in the three fixtures - but the manner of some of his dismissals came under scrutiny.

This included getting bowled off a full toss against Mitchell Santner in the second Test in Pune and being run out late on the first day while taking a risky single early in his innings in the final Test in Mumbai.

Shastri was referring to Kohli’s exceptional performances in Australia thus far - including a fighting Test ton in Adelaide in his first-ever Test tour in 2011/12, a staggering 692 runs at 86.50 from his four Tests during his second visit in 2014 and captaining India to their first-ever series win in the country in 2018/19 during which he scored an exceptional 123 in Perth.

In the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand, not only were Kohli’s numbers down - 15.50 runs per innings in the three fixtures - but the manner of some of his dismissals came under scrutiny.

This included getting bowled off a full toss against Mitchell Santner in the second Test in Pune and being run out late on the first day while taking a risky single early in his innings in the final Test in Mumbai.

Source: ICC
 
Mahee said:
it pains me so much to see such posts on kohli on twitter....he's not even in the top 50 batsmen in test cricket but still somehow manages to get the attention which he doesn't deserve.
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Very good PR machine.
 
It indeed appears to be the last frontier, but like Babar he has a mamooth even bigger fan following
 
Australia have beaten India in WTC and ODI WC. I expect Aussies to win again (4-1 or 5-0).
 
Mahee said:
it pains me so much to see such posts on kohli on twitter....he's not even in the top 50 batsmen in test cricket but still somehow manages to get the attention which he doesn't deserve.
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He is the greatest superstar of this generation and a GOAT in limited overs, there's a reason why the whole aussie media is after him. Iconic player who defined an era of cricket.
 
The Bald Eagle said:
It indeed appears to be the last frontier, but like Babar he has a mamooth even bigger fan following
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This is definitely not hte last frontier. He has already won it. Won World T20, under-19, world cup, CT. Nothing left for him. He should have retired gracefully 3 or 4 years back from Tests.
 
kron said:
One draw for sure due to rain.

One could be a flattish pitch. So 3 0 Australia. I would say
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Current Indian team is scratchy due to form and age. So i say their performance level will be like 30%. Not the usual 70 to 80% like they were in 2018, 2021. This team won't challenge Australia even in a rain affected match. Australia won't get a better opportunity to get their revenge for 4 series losses on the trot something they have never done against any side except England (1880s, 1950s, 1980s) and West Indies (1980s). Especially after they became invincible in the 2000s they haven't lost 4 series in a row to anyone.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
Current Indian team is scratchy due to form and age. So i say their performance level will be like 30%. Not the usual 70 to 80% like they were in 2018, 2021. This team won't challenge Australia even in a rain affected match. Australia won't get a better opportunity to get their revenge for 4 series losses on the trot something they have never done against any side except England (1880s, 1950s, 1980s) and West Indies (1980s). Especially after they became invincible in the 2000s they haven't lost 4 series in a row to anyone.
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If india drop kohli rohit and kl, we can beat any team imo.

But 2 of them will play so we will lose 3-1 or 3 0 imo.

One will be rain3d out from day 1 /2

One draw due to ultra flat patta where even kohli can score to pad up stats.
 
'Very different' Kohli still a force to reckon with

While Virat Kohli has been short of runs in recent times, his record in Australia indicates he'll be a threat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

India are seeking a third successive Test series win on Aussie soil and, despite the dwindling recent returns of their superstar Virat Kohli, the hosts will not be taking the visitors' talisman lightly.

Kohli's average over his past 10 Test innings stands at 20.62, compared to his lofty career figure of 47.83, and he has only made three Test centuries in the past five years, a stat that drew the attention of former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

But Kohli remains India's star attraction. It was his face splashed across front pages to mark India's arrival Down Under, and he arrives knowing Australia has been a happy hunting ground in the past. It is in Australia that Kohli has scored his most Test runs outside of India – 1,352 in 13 matches at an average of 54.08, including six centuries and another four fifties in his 25 innings.

Adelaide has been Kohli's favourite hunting ground, the love affair going back to 2012, when he hit his first hundred on Aussie soil.

But it was the tour of 2014 that etched Kohli in Australia's cricketing conscious. The twin tons on captaincy debut in Adelaide almost led India to a remarkable run chase n in an emotional Test series opener. He followed with 169 at the MCG and 147 at the SCG, and finished with a runs tally for the series of 692.

When Kohli was last in Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in 2020-21, he made 74 in the first Test in Adelaide, before returning home on paternity leave.

There cannot be a bigger and better stage for the batter to find form, and that is why the Australians still prize his wicket so highly.

But some of the Australians note that Kohli is no longer the same fiery player who loved engaging in on-field exchanges in his younger days.

"It's a very different Virat now, so you can go and have a joke with him … (but) he still scores runs against you," Usman Khawaja told cricket.com.au.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey agreed, noting that during the previous Border-Gavaskar Trophy series – played in India in early 2023 – "there was nothing" (verbally) from Kohli.

"Playing them in India … there was nothing," Carey said. "(We didn't) get under his skin, and he didn't try to get under ours. He just performed well with the bat."

It wasn't always this way with Kohli, as Aussie off-spinner Nathan Lyon knows all too well. Lyon recalls his battle with Kohli during the Adelaide Test in 2014 where Virat confused the Aussie tweaker by repeatedly commenting "Federer" with every arrival at the non-striker's end.

"I said, 'Mate, are we playing the wrong sport here if you're thinking of Roger Federer?' and he goes, 'Nah, I've got a beautiful forehand'.

"And I'm just like yeah, OK, you're a decent player when you can sit there and do that mid-innings."

Australia's left-arm quick Mitchell Starc said he is looking forward to rekindling the battle with his former Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate.

"I got to play alongside Virat for a couple of years in the IPL, so I got to know him off the field a bit and I have always enjoyed the battles together," Starc told cricket.com.au.

"But I don't think it's like him or I have cracks back or forth. It's more about the cricket and enjoying the contest.

"So he's not someone I have riled up or tried to rile up. You just have to try and let the cricket do the talking."

While Australia's quicks will have their plans, Marnus Labuschagne hinted the Aussies would look to make things uncomfortable for Kohli.

"You want him to come out of his comfort zone and try to force the game," said Labuschagne. "When he lets the game come to him, he is a very dangerous player."

Of course, should all else fail, Mitch Marsh, tongue planted firmly in cheek, suggested a novel approach.

Asked 'how can Virat Kohli be stopped?' Marsh responded: "I think I'm going to shoulder charge him when he gets to 30, just take him out," the allrounder deadpanned.

Whether it be via wisecracks or wobble seams, the battle between Australia and Kohli will captivate both nations come November 22 in Perth.

SOURCE: https://www.cricket.com.au/news/4169205?s=08
 
jnaveen1980 said:
This is definitely not hte last frontier. He has already won it. Won World T20, under-19, world cup, CT. Nothing left for him. He should have retired gracefully 3 or 4 years back from Tests.
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Dhoni missed the chance to retire with grace and may be he wants to be next Dhoni
 
Glenn McGrath speaking during an interview:

“If they go hard at him, if he gets in the fight with emotions, there’s a bit of chat out there, who knows he might sort of lift.”

“But I think he’s probably under pressure a little bit, and if he has a couple of low scores to start with, he could really feel it.

“I think he’s quite an emotional player. When he’s up, he’s up, and when he’s down, he sort of struggles a little bit.”

“Without a doubt, especially after coming off a 3-0 loss against New Zealand, you’ve got plenty of ammunition to back yourself up.”

“So put the pressure on them and see if they’re up for it.”
 
Champion player, Ronaldo of cricket. Allthough he should have retired a little while ago, he is still one of India's most fittest players and working hard to play good cricket down under.
 
People often highlight Virat Kohli's past achievements in Australia, especially his remarkable performances. However, they tend to overlook a crucial detail: his average in Australia might have taken a significant dip if he had played the entire 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Kohli played only one Test in that series before leaving for personal reasons.

Yes, there’s a strong possibility he could have scored a century in that Test—potentially avoiding the infamous three-year drought for an international hundred.
But let’s not forget the context: Kohli had been struggling in Tests since 2019, apart from a solitary century against Bangladesh.
Kohli’s shaky form at the time might have made the 2020-21 series one of his lowest phases in Australia.
That’s why I believe Kohli is likely to struggle in Australia now, despite it being his traditional hunting ground. Age, coupled with his ongoing struggles in Test cricket, could make it a tough challenge for him. Even the aura of his past dominance might not be enough to carry him through this time. His confidence seems low, and his batting stance has undergone significant changes, which have impacted his rhythm. While Australia has always been a place where he thrives, current circumstances suggest that the road ahead might not be as easy for him.
 
BouncerGuy said:
Glenn McGrath speaking during an interview:

“If they go hard at him, if he gets in the fight with emotions, there’s a bit of chat out there, who knows he might sort of lift.”

“But I think he’s probably under pressure a little bit, and if he has a couple of low scores to start with, he could really feel it.

“I think he’s quite an emotional player. When he’s up, he’s up, and when he’s down, he sort of struggles a little bit.”

“Without a doubt, especially after coming off a 3-0 loss against New Zealand, you’ve got plenty of ammunition to back yourself up.”

“So put the pressure on them and see if they’re up for it.”
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I don't believe in this if you go hard at time blah blah. Point is even if he gets rilled up he won't do a jack. That time he had that confidence of getting into someone's nerve because he knew he can back it up with his performance. Now you just bowl at 5th stump continuously and than out of 6 balls bowl one at the 2nd stump line he will give you wicket.
 
Mitchell Johnson said "One of Kohli’s attributes stood out early to me above all others – he was up for the fight, That kind of aggressive attitude was something we had rarely seen from an Indian player at that point. We were used to giving it but didn’t always get it back in return
 
Devadwal said:
Mitchell Johnson said "One of Kohli’s attributes stood out early to me above all others – he was up for the fight, That kind of aggressive attitude was something we had rarely seen from an Indian player at that point. We were used to giving it but didn’t always get it back in return
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Chalo g.
Once Virat takes over the coaching duties.
Johnson will get the bowling coach role.
 
The 2014-15 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy featured an epic showdown between Virat Kohli and Mitchell Johnson. Johnson recounted the experience in a column for a local media outlet:

“One of Kohli’s attributes stood out early to me above all others – he was up for the fight. That kind of aggressive attitude was something we had rarely seen from an Indian player at that point. We were used to giving it but didn’t always get it back in return."

"He took his team with him as well so it’s not an understatement to say that Kohli changed the face of Indian cricket, taking a new generation of players and showing them how to play tough cricket."

“I was legitimately trying to run him out but he didn’t like what I did. He made some comments in the media that night about having no respect for me as a player, which annoyed me.”

“We got him off guard early and had him playing at a ball he didn’t need to in frustration and unfortunately we dropped him on not many. He then focussed and harnessed his energy and piled on the runs – all 169 of them. also remember the cover drives, the pull shots and the urgency of his running between wickets. One of the best players in the world playing me with so much time, I think I even said ‘good shot’ in my head a few times after being driven down the ground."
 
Devadwal said:
Mitchell Johnson said "One of Kohli’s attributes stood out early to me above all others – he was up for the fight, That kind of aggressive attitude was something we had rarely seen from an Indian player at that point. We were used to giving it but didn’t always get it back in return
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Shewag, ganguly all gave it back plenty of times. He'll bhaji did too.
 
BouncerGuy said:
Is he gonna give it to them this time as well???
I don't think so.
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Aussies are not going to sledge him. The thing with Australian players over the years is they mostly go after younger players. Once a player becomes a legend and earn respect, they never sledge them. Aussies never used to sledge Tendulkar back in the days and will not do it against Kohli either this time. If anything he will get standing ovation in every ground considering it may be his last tour there just like how Tendulkar got in 2012 tour.
 

Virat Kohli's Short-Pitched Struggle Exposed In Simulation Game: Report​


In need of a much-needed confidence boost, India's talismanic Virat Kohli is coming into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the back of a woeful performance against New Zealand. India lost the home series against the Kiwis 0-3, incurring a never-seen-before whitewash in a 3-match assignment. One of the biggest factors behind India's poor show in the series was a string of poor shows by seniors like Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma. As India prepare for the opening Test against Australia at Perth, Kohli's struggles against short deliveries have become public.

In the 3-day simulation game against India A, Kohli was dismissed for just 15 runs when he came out to bat for the first time. Most of the Indian batters struggled against India A pacers, particularly Mukesh Kumar who put on a terrific show.

Kohli came out to bat for the second time on Day 2, remaining unbeaten on 30 runs before he went to the nets and did some customised practice. While his performances in the middle didn't instill a lot of confidence, it has been reported by ESPNCricinfo that the 36-year-old batter struggled quite a lot against short-pitched bowling.

The wicket at Perth is not to produce extra bounce, something that Indian batters aren't used to facing on subcontinent surfaces. With Rohit, arguably India's best when it comes to facing short-pitched deliveries, not playing in the match, Australians are expected to use this weapon quite a lot.

In fact, Australia's pace great Glenn McGrath has asked his team to put the Indian team under early pressure, especially by targeting Kohli, and pin the tourists. While Kohli has traditionally responded to pressure situations well, his confidence isn't on his side at the moment.

McGrath expects Kohli to hit another low if he departs with low scores in the first couple of innings.

sports.ndtv.com

Virat Kohli's Short-Pitched Struggle Exposed In Simulation Game: Report | Cricket News

Virat Kohli scored 15 and 30 not-out during his two outings in the simulation game. But, struggled quite a lot against short-pitched bowling.
sports.ndtv.com sports.ndtv.com
 
BouncerGuy said:
Is he gonna give it to them this time as well???
I don't think so.
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He will give it back this time too. Except he will give his actual back as he walks towards the stands after getting bamboozled by cummins and Lyon again for low scores. Yet again.
 
FearlessRoar said:

Virat Kohli's Short-Pitched Struggle Exposed In Simulation Game: Report​


In need of a much-needed confidence boost, India's talismanic Virat Kohli is coming into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the back of a woeful performance against New Zealand. India lost the home series against the Kiwis 0-3, incurring a never-seen-before whitewash in a 3-match assignment. One of the biggest factors behind India's poor show in the series was a string of poor shows by seniors like Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma. As India prepare for the opening Test against Australia at Perth, Kohli's struggles against short deliveries have become public.

In the 3-day simulation game against India A, Kohli was dismissed for just 15 runs when he came out to bat for the first time. Most of the Indian batters struggled against India A pacers, particularly Mukesh Kumar who put on a terrific show.

Kohli came out to bat for the second time on Day 2, remaining unbeaten on 30 runs before he went to the nets and did some customised practice. While his performances in the middle didn't instill a lot of confidence, it has been reported by ESPNCricinfo that the 36-year-old batter struggled quite a lot against short-pitched bowling.

The wicket at Perth is not to produce extra bounce, something that Indian batters aren't used to facing on subcontinent surfaces. With Rohit, arguably India's best when it comes to facing short-pitched deliveries, not playing in the match, Australians are expected to use this weapon quite a lot.

In fact, Australia's pace great Glenn McGrath has asked his team to put the Indian team under early pressure, especially by targeting Kohli, and pin the tourists. While Kohli has traditionally responded to pressure situations well, his confidence isn't on his side at the moment.

McGrath expects Kohli to hit another low if he departs with low scores in the first couple of innings.

sports.ndtv.com

Virat Kohli's Short-Pitched Struggle Exposed In Simulation Game: Report | Cricket News

Virat Kohli scored 15 and 30 not-out during his two outings in the simulation game. But, struggled quite a lot against short-pitched bowling.
sports.ndtv.com sports.ndtv.com
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It's a myth that rohit sharma is some legend vs short ball.

He gets out to short balls plenty of times. Yea he wont get hurt or injured but quite often he gets caught in the deep from short pitch bowling.
 
If Kohli manages to score at least one century in the next five matches against Australia, he will overtake Sachin Tendulkar and top the list of Indian batters with the most Test centuries in Australia.
 
Cricket Warrior said:
If Kohli manages to score at least one century in the next five matches against Australia, he will overtake Sachin Tendulkar and top the list of Indian batters with the most Test centuries in Australia.
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Overall Virat Kohli has 11 tons in Australia, more than any other visiting batter in history of cricket. :kp
 
Dude is going to get bowled by Nathan Lyon lol He doesn't need great spinners. Just any part time spinner would do
 
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel lauded Virat Kohli’s impact on the team during pre-match press conference:

“The intensity and professionalism he brings is top-notch, always putting himself under pressure in nets."

“For youngsters to witness that, it’ll take their game to a different level."

"A lot of people would see how we go about our business here. But our key message is that it is important for us to put that aside. For any cricketer, when you come to Australia, you want to do well. This is where you make a name for yourself — on one of the biggest stages in the world to play cricket."
 
FearlessRoar said:
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel lauded Virat Kohli’s impact on the team during pre-match press conference:

“The intensity and professionalism he brings is top-notch, always putting himself under pressure in nets."

“For youngsters to witness that, it’ll take their game to a different level."

"A lot of people would see how we go about our business here. But our key message is that it is important for us to put that aside. For any cricketer, when you come to Australia, you want to do well. This is where you make a name for yourself — on one of the biggest stages in the world to play cricket."
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Enough hype guys. He is old. He doesn't have the same reflexes. He just can't wait to go back to his home land england. If he scores a 50 that is a great achievement.There is remarkable difference between Kohli 7 years back and now. He is unrecognizable. Even the great players after loss of reflex, judgement struggled. Viv Richards towards the end of the career looked poor with loss of reflexes and he pushed himself down the order. There was a time he would step out every single ball against spinner and meet each time without getting beaten. Now he has become like how MSD was at the end of his career agianst spin.
 
Miandad was not awful at fag end of his career, Sachin was also fine but Virat so far hasn't displayed any classy performances yet especially in Tests.
 
Kohli fails in the 1st inning of the 1st test in BGT 2025.

Looks like he is gonna have another mediocre series.
 
Scored a fifty in 2nd innings of 1st test match .

Currently 52*

King is silenting his haters with the bat .

:virat1 :shh :kp
 
The Bald Eagle said:
Miandad was not awful at fag end of his career, Sachin was also fine but Virat so far hasn't displayed any classy performances yet especially in Tests.
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There is the classy performance, almost taking the game far far away from Australia.
 
Virat answering the call. He’s an absolute champion. Never gives up
 
I think he has 3-4 years of test cricket in him still. He should complete devote himself to test cricket if he cares about legacy. There’s nothing more to be achieved for him in limited overs cricket.
 
FearlessRoar said:
Nearly 500 days after his last Test century, The King is back

Congratulations
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Some players are not even scored a century in australia even during their peaks .King has scored seven test century.

This is just beginning of this tour.

Most hundreds by active players:

1. Virat Kohli - 81*.
2. Joe Root - 51.3
3. Rohit Sharma - 48 :kp
 
Josh Hazlewood Reveals Australia 'Tried Everything But Nothing Worked' Against Virat Kohli

They tried the off-stump line, short ball tactic and even attacking the line of stumps but nothing seemed to work against Virat Kohli, who blunted the Australian attack with his 30th Test hundred, leading speedster Josh Hazlewood said as his team stared at big defeat in the opening Test against India.

India posted a mammoth 487 runs in their second innings, setting the hosts a stiff 534-run target. Australia ended opening day at 12 for 3 and even Hazlewood knows that it would take a miracle to save the game.

“We cycled through a few plans. He batted really well. He’s a good player. He batted well. We sort of hung it outside off for a bit with an offside field. We tried straight. We tried the bounces. We tried a lot of things. He negated everything. So, yes, credit to him. He batted well," said Hazlewood on Kohli’s unbeaten 100 which took him past Sir Donald Bradman’s 29 Test hundreds.

He admitted that he hasn’t had too many harder days in office like one on Sunday when Indian batters grounded a quality bowling attack into submission.

Hazlewood bowled 21 of the 84 overs sent down by Australian quicks, who got only four wickets, giving away 290 runs.

“Yes, it’s up there. It probably speaks for itself," Hazlewood said when asked if that was one of the harder days he had had in the field.

“They piled on the runs and had a couple of really big partnerships there. It was hard work out there. Following it at certain stages.

“The new ball probably does a little bit. But, if you get through that, then it’s a bit easier batting. We saw a little bit up and down towards the end of the day, obviously. So, that’ll be something the batters will be watching tomorrow."

Asked about his plans for tomorrow, Hazlewood said it was now up to the batters to do the job and he would just relax.

“I’m probably looking mostly towards next test and what plans we can do against these batters. I guess the batters just sticking to what they do, their preparation."

Australians are the hosts but the Indian team gets massive support from the crowd at the stadium. Asked about the phenomenon, Hazlewood said it was nothing new to them.

“We’re used to that now. I think wherever you play India, it’s an Indian home ground. I reckon the last few tours have been similar. The one-day series in Australia are similar. Yes, we’re all used to it now."

Hazlewood was not overwhelmed by the strong position of India in the game, saying they too have enjoyed such moments."

“I think that’s sort of the way the game flows sometimes. We’ve been on the other end of it as well a lot of times when we’re piling it on and next minute we come out and take a few quick runs late in the afternoon. You see it both ways.

“They’re obviously well in front on this one and they’re doing the damage. That’s just sort of ebbs and flows of the game."

Asked about Pat Cummins coming out to do the night watchman duty, Hazlewood shared that it could have been Nathan Lyon also, but for the day the skipper put his hand up.

“We’ve just been talking the last few weeks about potentially having two options and Gaz (Lyon’s nickname) obviously put a fair shift in their bowling. Pat put his hand up to do it tonight. I think we’ll see both guys used throughout the series. "

He also backed his skipper as he faced questions on coming into a Test match without playing a domestic game.

“I think he bowled the most out of the quicks. His pace was probably the pick of the quicks as well. He kept his pace up the whole game. His bounces were on track most of the time. He looked his normal self to me.

I can usually pick up with the other two quicks when they’re a little bit off and I didn’t see any sort of signs of that.

“Maybe a little bit of a rust in the first innings. You sort of take the freshness I think over that and throughout this game he obviously I think got better and you’ll just see him get better as he goes along I think.

So the freshness I think trumps playing that Shield game for him."

Hazlewood sought to give the impression that they are not overtly worried after being buried under the mountain of runs in the opening game, saying it was a long series and they would look to get something good out of the series-opener.

“It’s just again the batters sticking to their plans tomorrow, batting some time. It’s obviously a long series. It’s a five-match series. So if we can put some overs into their top quicks, I guess that’s probably the couple of goals that we need to tick off tomorrow.

“If a couple of guys find some form and score an 80-90 or even 100, that’s probably the positives we can take out of it."

www.news18.com

IND vs AUS: Josh Hazlewood Reveals Australia 'Tried Everything But Nothing Worked' Against Virat Kohli - News18

Josh Hazlewood said it would take a miracle to save the game with Australia being by 522 runs and India needing 7 wickets to win.
www.news18.com www.news18.com
 
Virat Kohli with his 30th Test century surpassed legendary Australian Sir Don Bradman, who had 29 Test hundreds to his name.
 
Younis is very underrated by Pakistanis here. For all his weaknesses he was a great teat batsman. He often looked at sea against pace but you don't score 34 centuries and 10k runs for fun. He scored more centuries than kohli in same no of matches and kohli has been praised as one of the best of this generation
 
Devadwal said:
An advise to king doubters , Don't take King lightly even he is wounded :kp :virat1
Click to expand...
Lol...where is the King and his cavalry when you need them the most... SF 2015, Final 2023, WTC 2022...and we may see some more. Anyway great innings by Kohli after a great while
 
It was quite a third rate century to be fair. If he doesn't do much else in the series he hasn't got out of his rut yet.
 
Hyder said:
Younis is very underrated by Pakistanis here. For all his weaknesses he was a great teat batsman. He often looked at sea against pace but you don't score 34 centuries and 10k runs for fun. He scored more centuries than kohli in same no of matches and kohli has been praised as one of the best of this generation
Click to expand...
Kohli's performance in SENA are much better. For some reasons people here value sena runs a lot more
 
Cricket Warrior said:
Virat Kohli with his 30th Test century surpassed legendary Australian Sir Don Bradman, who had 29 Test hundreds to his name.
Click to expand...
Bradman achieved in way less test matches though.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Kohli is the father of Australia and Pakistan cricket team.
 
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