Virat Kohli and the lack of a hundred

[Minnowbasher]

You ain't gonna score 100s when your playing on a Bunsen burner

 

[Raja111]

While on one has averaged 50 while chasing in T20I
Kohli has averaged 83. That's mind blowing.

 

[MenInG]

Team India captain Virat Kohli played a ferocious knock of unbeaten 73 runs in the second T20I against England to power his team to a 7-wicket win. Ahead of the match, Kohli was facing a lot of scrutiny for his rough patch as he was dismissed for a duck in the opening match. The Indian captain bounced back and also become the first player in international cricket to reach 3000 T20I runs.

Kohli revealed that he had a chat with his Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate AB de Villiers ahead of the match regarding his batting.

“I had a special chat with AB de Villiers before this game and he told me just to watch the ball. So I did!” Kohli said in the post-match presentation.

Kohli and ABD shared a great camaraderie both on and off the field and often seen praising each other on several occasions.

The Indian captain also talked about the all-round effort of the players in the match, especially bowlers for giving only 34 runs in the last five bowlers.

“Quite a good game for us. I think we ticked all the boxes we wanted to. Especially in the first innings with the ball. To give away only 34 in the last five, very smart bowling. Specially Washy, he had only one left-hander to bowl to and he used the big boundary to the right-handers better,” Kohli said.

The 32-year-old also talked about returning back to the form and said he shifted his focus back to the basics.

“I had to shift the focus back to the basics. Probably thinking of too many variables on the outside. I’ve always taken pride in doing the job for the team, so more happy about that than scoring 70 odd. Kept my eye on the ball. The management spoke to me about things,” he added.

The Indian captain shared a crucial 94-run stand alongside debutant Ishan Kishan who also scored a half-century. Kohli heaped huge praise on the southpaw and said he took away the game from England.

“Special mention to Ishan. I tried to do what I can but he just took the game away from the opposition. Quality innings on debut. When you play in the IPL with such dominance like he has, against quality bowlers. We’ve seen him hit international fast bowlers fo big sixes. He knew he was hitting the ball well but he was calculated, not reckless. Today that counter-attacking innings of his and our partnership was something the team needed,” Kohli said.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...rough-patch-with-bat-ahead-of-2nd-t20i-973859

 

[Romali_rotti]

Now watch him tear it up in the coming ENG tour...

 

[Babeikh]

I never got the impression he is particularly out of form to be honest. Just hasn't hit a century in a while but in terms of his movement, timing etc it doesn't seem off. Only a matter of time before he gets a hundred. He will end up getting another 15-20 international centuries in all probability.

 

[Ab Fan]

He is the best all format batsman of this generation.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Very unusual for Kohli to have such a prolonged rut.

More importantly it is not like he is getting out in unlucky fashion, he's just falling to same mistakes again and again. :/

 

[James]

He is still just as good a player. For me this is a mental thing. He doesn’t seem to have the same hunger for those huge scores anymore.

 

[Osama Shafeeqe]

Since his debut in August 2008 to his last century in November 2019, Virat Kohli had scored 70 International centuries. That is an average of 6.4 centuries a year which means that Virat Kohli has not scored about 13 centuries he should of scored on average in the past 2 years. Not only is this a slump but it could be a stat that may ruin his career. If he does not handle this whole conflict with BCCI well and his century making ways don't return in the next year or so, we might be seeing the end of Kohli.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Since his debut in August 2008 to his last century in November 2019, Virat Kohli had scored 70 International centuries. That is an average of 6.4 centuries a year which means that Virat Kohli has not scored about 13 centuries he should of scored on average in the past 2 years. Not only is this a slump but it could be a stat that may ruin his career. If he does not handle this whole conflict with BCCI well and his century making ways don't return in the next year or so, we might be seeing the end of Kohli.

Sorry I don't think he even cares about Sachin's century record.

Yes it is worrying that for a batsman of his class isn't scoring centuries but I doubt he is concerned what his numbers will look like when he retires.

 

[Osama Shafeeqe]

Didn't mention Sachin's record and I agree he doesn't and shouldn't care about records but he's stats for his performance over the last few years will be an issue brought up again and again.

The same thing happened to Ricky Ponting, he retired prematurely IMO and it had everything to do with the media and coaching staff getting into his head.

Kohli should take some time off and play domestic cricket and get back to his run making ways. It just looks like his carrying the weight of entire world on his shoulders and its getting to him.

 

[Manunited18]

Every player goes through a rough trot no matter what his status in the game is. I do think once kholi relieves his test captaincy duties then he can relax and concentrate on his A game which will benefit him and India.

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

Virat Kohli like ponting had a massive peak. Similar to ponting, he's also going through a major decline. Not sure he'll overcome it.

 

[MP2011]

Sorry I don't think he even cares about Sachin's century record.

He does, he won't ever admit it publicly though.

If however he doesn't care about 100 international tons then there is something wrong with his thought process. Every batsman worth his salt would love to eclipse Tendulkar's 100 tons record and its not a bad thing.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

If Kohli doesn't care about centuries anymore, it's only because he's lost the hunger for it. Every single professionAl batsman wants to score centuries every innings if they could.

I could see Kohli scoring upto 5 more centuries before he retires. This is one of the steepest decline I have seen, comparable to Ponting's. At least Ponting was the best batsman in the world for at least 6-7 years. Kohli was always under Smith's shadow.

 

[sweep_shot]

It is quite possible Kohli's best days are behind him. Age is catching up perhaps.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Didn't mention Sachin's record and I agree he doesn't and shouldn't care about records but he's stats for his performance over the last few years will be an issue brought up again and again.

The same thing happened to Ricky Ponting, he retired prematurely IMO and it had everything to do with the media and coaching staff getting into his head.

Kohli should take some time off and play domestic cricket and get back to his run making ways. It just looks like his carrying the weight of entire world on his shoulders and its getting to him.

Ponting was struggling since 2010. He just had one good series (the one against India 2012) and that's it. It had become depressing seeing Ponting struggling to score runs.

On the other hand, Kohli is still getting starts and looks comfortable doing so until he gets out.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

If Kohli doesn't care about centuries anymore, it's only because he's lost the hunger for it. Every single professionAl batsman wants to score centurie

There is difference between hunger for scoring big runs and hunger for chasing records. It's the latter Kohli doesn't give two sh1ts about.

Kohli has achieved what he's achieved because he has wanted to be the best and because there is only one and one goal in his mind when he's out there, it's to win the game for his side.

Tendulkar for all his talent and god given gift always had milestones in his mind, there is a reason he's got out in 90s so often and the 100th century farce (slowed down which eventually led to India losing the game to BD) is his legacy.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

He does, he won't ever admit it publicly though.

How a player plays & behaves during loss of form is great indicator of their headspace. You don't see Kohli losing any intensity just because he's not scoring the same runs anymore, he is still charging at the opposition, firing up his team because his ultimate goal is to win games for India, sure he'd like to score runs, but clearly as long as team is winning it isn't affecting his morale.

But if you say he is chasing records, let's just take your word for it.

 

[MP2011]

the 100th century farce (slowed down which eventually led to India losing the game to BD) is his legacy.

If you say so that 100th 100 is Tendulkar's legacy then lets take your word for it.

 

[MP2011]

If Kohli doesn't care about centuries anymore, it's only because he's lost the hunger for it. Every single professionAl batsman wants to score centuries every innings if they could.

This.

Some people are commenting as if scoring tons is a sin for a batsman, they can't be more wrong. Its a batsman's job to score tons and every batsman, including Kohli will do whatever it takes to score a ton.

 

[MP2011]

So when Kohli was scoring those 70 international tons he was batting for his team and not for himself. And when Tendulkar was scoring all those tons, he was batting for himself!

Logic and common sense died 100 deaths!

 

[Cricfan4eva]

So when Kohli was scoring those 70 international tons he was batting for his team and not for himself. And when Tendulkar was scoring all those tons, he was batting for himself!

Logic and common sense died 100 deaths!

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/e...result=1;team=6;template=results;type=batting

I mean.. I know you are hurt because Tendulkar was a bit record centric but I've not yet seen you present any stats to prove your point. Kohli with lesser centuries has more in wins than Tendulkar. Just tells you whose runs have been more impactful.

Please come up with more attacks, cuz I am quite sure you won't find any stats to back any of your claims.

 

[MP2011]

I don't need to present any stats to prove Tendulkar is far ahead of Kohli as a batsman in both forms of the game.

You are free to present as many stats you want to prove otherwise.

Yes I'm hurt because Kohli could've done so much more. But because of his false ego and arrogance, he couldn't become what he could've. Sad for Indian cricket.

 

[Zaz]

The 200th test and the big farewell shows how much of a record chaser tendulkar was

He couldve shouldve retired well before that and couldve gone away quietly but being as he was it had to be a big fanfare at home whilst playing the record breaking test match

 

[James]

The 200th test and the big farewell shows how much of a record chaser tendulkar was

He couldve shouldve retired well before that and couldve gone away quietly but being as he was it had to be a big fanfare at home whilst playing the record breaking test match

Record chaser or not, the more interesting debate is whether SRT and his continued mountain of runs benefited India as a team or not. I think overall that he did.

 

[Zaz]

The same thing happened to Ricky Ponting, he retired prematurely IMO and it had everything to do with the media and coaching staff getting into his head

No way Ponting hung on for 3-4 years too long

He was avging 60 after about 107 tests In his final 40 odd tests and last 4 years he was avging 38 during that period With his final avge dropping a good 8 points from his peak

He was a shadow of the player during that time and with that aura of smashing attacks to smithereens he had at his peak well and truly gone

He says he hung about to oversee the transition and mentor the young guys in the team in that period

Whether you believe that or not is up for debate

 

[Zaz]

Kohli knowing the man he is, he wont be hanging around like a sore limb ala dhoni and tendulkar well past his prime

If his form doesnt improve over the next 18 months i can see him retiring

Hes not driven by stats or money orientated like some of the other ex indian players of the recent past He wants to be a bug contributor to the teams success and if hes isnt he ll walk away and give someone more deserving the chance

 

[MenInG]

Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli ended the year 2021 without scoring a century in international cricket as he departed for 18 in the second innings of the first Test against South Africa on Wednesday. In 2020 also, Kohli had failed to reach the triple-figure mark.

The Indian skipper had last scored a ton in the day-night Test against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in 2019. South Africa bowler Marco Jansen removed Kohli in the 33rd over as the batter's quest for his 71st ton continued. Coming to the game, South Africa pegged back India in the first session on Day 4 of the first Test match here at the SuperSport Park, Centurion on Wednesday.

India lost Thakur, the nightwatchman, KL Rahul before Kohli departed this morning. India's lead is now more than 250 runs. However, the visitors have lost six wickets.

On Tuesday, India lost Mayank Agarwal at the cusp of the stumps but the visitors still ended Day three of the first Test in the driver's seat. India had bundled out South Africa for 197 in the third session before the hosts lost Mayank's wicket minutes before the end of the play.

Mohammed Shami took a five-wicket haul on Day 3 and also completed 200 wickets in the longest format of the game.

https://sports.ndtv.com/south-afric...ds-2021-with-no-international-century-2677908

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">768 days since Virat Kohli's last century in international cricket <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvIND?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvIND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1476203965981368331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[shaz619]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">768 days since Virat Kohli's last century in international cricket <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvIND?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvIND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1476203965981368331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This reminds me of when Tendulkar went a long time without one before he got his chance against Bangladesh

Are India playing Bangladesh anytime soon

 

[Cover Drive Six]

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/e...result=1;team=6;template=results;type=batting

I mean.. I know you are hurt because Tendulkar was a bit record centric but I've not yet seen you present any stats to prove your point. Kohli with lesser centuries has more in wins than Tendulkar. Just tells you whose runs have been more impactful.

Please come up with more attacks, cuz I am quite sure you won't find any stats to back any of your claims.

This is pretty good stat in test cricket.
This indicates how Kohli have been more impact over selfish ton man Tendulkar.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

This reminds me of when Tendulkar went a long time without one before he got his chance against Bangladesh

Are India playing Bangladesh anytime soon

When are England playing Bangladesh?
They definitely need one tour of Bangladesh to lift their spirits up after this ruthless destruction.

 

[Dios]

This reminds me of when Tendulkar went a long time without one before he got his chance against Bangladesh

Are India playing Bangladesh anytime soon

Yes and India went on to lose that match because of Tendulkar's selfish innings.

 

[Dios]

I came across these pictures of Kohli above. He is looking like he is in his mid-40s rather than someone in their early 30s. Is he overdoing his crazy diet and fitness regime? I'm sure the recent turmoil with the BCCI hasn't helped his stress levels either.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Wide ball chasing dismissals are ridiculous. He has turned into a rookie player. Someone who has just made his debut.

 

[MP2011]

Wide ball chasing dismissals are ridiculous. He has turned into a rookie player. Someone who has just made his debut.

And that when he is the captain and our batting is already struggling really badly.

Quite clearly, he doesn't seem to be bothered by his miserable form for last 2 years.

 

[Saj]

Declining Test batting average which is now at just over 50, but when the team is winning, the heat isn't on him too much. But that won't last forever.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

I came across these pictures of Kohli above. He is looking like he is in his mid-40s rather than someone in their early 30s. Is he overdoing his crazy diet and fitness regime? I'm sure the recent turmoil with the BCCI hasn't helped his stress levels either.

He looks very skinny. I wonder if losing weight affected his form?

 

[giri26]

It is not about lack of hundreds, it is about not scoring any runs and putting pressure on the lower order. If Virat was missing hundreds but scoring a bunch of 50's it would have been still okay. He is just woefully out of form for 2 years now. The last good innings I remember him playing was the first innings in Adelaide where he scored 70 odd and looked sublime.

 

[James]

He looks very skinny. I wonder if losing weight affected his form?

Not as muscular as he once was.

 

[silentkiller187]

I came across these pictures of Kohli above. He is looking like he is in his mid-40s rather than someone in their early 30s. Is he overdoing his crazy diet and fitness regime? I'm sure the recent turmoil with the BCCI hasn't helped his stress levels either.

age fudging ??

 

[JibranAnsari]

Unusually long time for the player of his caliber to not score a 100 , he does not look out of touch either. May be his hunger for runs has deserted or may be no longer interested in the game.

 

[shaz619]

Yes and India went on to lose that match because of Tendulkar's selfish innings.

Don’t put BD down too much

 

[Savak]

His body language is very off putting. Its like someone has sucked out all his hunger and drive to achieve more. The Kohli of a few years ago would have taken pain killers in order to play a vital match for India.

 

[MenInG]

61 innings since a 100 by Virat Kohli...

 

[Noman]

His body language is very off putting. Its like someone has sucked out all his hunger and drive to achieve more. The Kohli of a few years ago would have taken pain killers in order to play a vital match for India.

His diet, sponsor commercial interest and having a Bollywood with both have to keep each other happy is taking a Roll. Kholi need space and he is not getting it. In almost every interview he talks about workload.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Top class innings today. Rahane and Pujara should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[Savak]

Babar Azam hasnt scored a test century since 2019. He hasn't scored an ODI century since 2020

 

[Varun]

Today was a fantastic innings, but he was left stranded at the end when he couldn't even take singles.

Pujara, Rahane and Pant have to answer for this.

 

[Mobashir]

Today was a fantastic innings, but he was left stranded at the end when he couldn't even take singles.

Pujara, Rahane and Pant have to answer for this.

Yes pretty good innings after a long time. Hundreds aren't that important, as long as you play well and he did play well here.
Problem is most of the times he is not playing well.

 

[zain7077]

Babar Azam hasnt scored a test century since 2019. He hasn't scored an ODI century since 2020

He scored 2 odi hundreds against SA and Eng last year and also scored a test hundred in March 2020. Your statements are totally false.

 

[Saj]

Not much support today. His team-mates at the top of the order offered very little resilience.

That innings today was in theory worth more than a century.

 

[Rana]

He was batting beautifully today. The lack of partners cost him a deserved hundred

 

[dildilpak]

Good solid knock today with wickets falling on the other end.

 

[transparent opacity]

A good inning today.

As long as he plays such innings, hundred won't matter. Hundred is just a number, playing an important knock is the key.

 

[Thanos]

Looked set for big one today.
Before getting out on a shot he wouldn't have played, if wasn't running out of partners from other end.

 

[MenInG]

out for 18 today... another opportunity goes abegging.

 

[MenInG]

 

[MesonK]

I came across these pictures of Kohli above. He is looking like he is in his mid-40s rather than someone in their early 30s. Is he overdoing his crazy diet and fitness regime? I'm sure the recent turmoil with the BCCI hasn't helped his stress levels either.

Or ... he is a typical South Asian sportsman, older by 2-3 years then registered age. I believer he is at-least 35 right now

 

[YousafTheBeast]

It’ll be interesting to see whether he retires from LOI before being dropped.

Next years WC will more than likely be Kohli’s last time playing for India in LOI.

 

[MenInG]

Duck for VK in 3rd ODI

Alzarri Joseph to Kohli, out Caught by Shai Hope!! Strangled down the leg-side!

Virat Kohli c Shai Hope b Alzarri Joseph 0(2) - 16/2 in 3.5 ov.

 

[RamLakhan]

I think V.Kohli is finished as a player (especially for the caliber of cricket he displayed in the first half of his career). I think he is the biggest player ever to have ended his career on such a huge low!

 

[MP2011]

Kohli is just embarrassing himself even more with every innings he is playing.

Shows what a great leveler this game is!

 

[Mobashir]

I think V.Kohli is finished as a player (especially for the caliber of cricket he displayed in the first half of his career). I think he is the biggest player ever to have ended his career on such a huge low!

Ponting's test career also ended with a big big low.

But Kohli's downfall, if he never comes back to form, would have started at 30. That's surely the earliest from the legends of the game.

 

[MP2011]

I think V.Kohli is finished as a player (especially for the caliber of cricket he displayed in the first half of his career). I think he is the biggest player ever to have ended his career on such a huge low!

His priorities have completely changed ever since he got married.

 

[MP2011]

But its a good thing that he got booted out as our captain. Will be much easier to drop him from team as just a player rather than as a captain.

At this rate don't think he will be in our squad for next year's ODI WC. If that happens, he won't be a patch on other ODI greats who did exceedingly well in ODI WCs, pinnacle of ODI cricket.

 

[Mobashir]

But its a good thing that he got booted out as our captain. Will be much easier to drop him from team as just a player rather than as a captain.

At this rate don't think he will be in our squad for next year's ODI WC. If that happens, he won't be a patch on other ODI greats who did exceedingly well in ODI WCs, pinnacle of ODI cricket.

Kohli will never be dropped from india's ofi wc squad. Never.
And it's not like India has many other midle order batsman in ODI'S.

 

[MP2011]

And it's not like India has many other midle order batsman in ODI'S.

Unless one tries them, how will they know?

However selection issues have been our bane (especially in ODIs) ever since Kohli took over.

 

[Rana]

Very sad decline of once a great batsman!

 

[BunnyRabbit]

2016 2017 2018 are out of the world numbers.

Think the lack of 100 must be in the back of his mind now just like the 100th 100 was for Tendulkar.

 

[MP2011]

It was Kohli's worst ever bilateral ODI series (average: 8.66) in a decade, last being that 2012 series against Pakistan in which he averaged 4.33!

 

[Savak]

I don't buy the talk that this is all about the insane standards he set at his peak. There genuinely is something amiss in his batting, technique, reflexes, approach.

His repeated modes of dismissal clearly indicate he has not been putting the hard yards in practice for a while now

 

[MenInG]

17 vs West Indies... another disappoinment.