Virat Kohli Test Batting Average in Decline?

[Ab Fan]

Currently the test batting average reads 50.35. In last two years, he has a batting average of 26 at strike rate of 43.

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/e...al2=span;team=6;template=results;type=batting

For all the talk of Pujara's and Rahane's poor form with bat, Kohli's poor test record in recent times often goes off radar. But he has been as bad as the other two if not worse. The likes of Rohit, Pant and Rahul have been winning us matches mostly.

 

[Savak]

Tells you how incredible India's bowling has been to cover up the mediocre batting

 

[Bewal Express]

Class is permanent, form is temporary

 

[Ab Fan]

The way things are going, one more failure and he might well find his average below 50.

The decline has been alarming and it seems he could care least about it.

 

[sweep_shot]

Age is catching up with him perhaps. Not the same intensity like before.

 

[Savak]

Mohd Asif made an interesting observation when asked about the difference bw Kohli and Tendulkar. He commented Kohli is a bottom handed player whereas Tendulkar is a top handed player.

Bottom Handed players rely a lot on fitness, reflexes but once these go then it's a very steep decline and it's very difficult to match the previous standards as you grow older. Top handed players are able to replicate their form for much longer time periods as it's not dependent on fitness, reflexes and more on technique

 

[sweep_shot]

Mohd Asif made an interesting observation when asked about the difference bw Kohli and Tendulkar. He commented Kohli is a bottom handed player whereas Tendulkar is a top handed player.

Bottom Handed players rely a lot on fitness, reflexes but once these go then it's a very steep decline and it's very difficult to match the previous standards as you grow older. Top handed players are able to replicate their form for much longer time periods as it's not dependent on fitness, reflexes and more on technique

Kohli was always a hyper character. He needed to be pumped up to do well.

Tendulkar was more about calmness and technique.

It shows technique is more important than passion when it comes to longevity.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Kohli was always a hyper character. He needed to be pumped up to do well.

Tendulkar was more about calmness and technique.

It shows technique is more important than passion when it comes to longevity.

Tendulkar was hyper talented.Kohli has done really well and has maximised his talent to full extent.
I feel it’s more a mental aspect with Kohli with shot selection as whenever he has scored he has looked good.

 

[Mobashir]

He probably has another 3 years pick around the corner.
But if he doesn't have a t, his average probably will be less than 50. He needs a home series against a weak side to get some confidence back.

 

[boomboomcheema]

He was never an exceptional talent like Tendulkar. Just on par with a Test Batsman like Root.

 

[Thanos]

Kohli isn't able to put his ego aside and leave balls outside off stump. Tendulkar did that when he was going through poor form.

If Kohli does the same and makes few good scores, he'll be back to his best. (Perhaps not as best as he was when he used to score centuries and chase big targets for fun)

 

[MP2011]

Kohli isn't able to put his ego aside and leave balls outside off stump. Tendulkar did that when he was going through poor form.

If Kohli does the same and makes few good scores, he'll be back to his best. (Perhaps not as best as he was when he used to score centuries and chase big targets for fun)

That's the problem with Kohli. He is too egoistic for his own good. He is hell bent on playing the same strokes these days which are causing his downfall repeatedly.

OTOH, seeing cover drive was causing his downfall repeatedly in Australia series in 2003-04, Tendulkar totally shelved cover drive from his repertoire during his 241* at SCG. Imagine a batsman for whom cover drive is his bread and butter shot, totally shuns it for such a long period of time!

 

[MP2011]

He probably has another 3 years pick around the corner.
But if he doesn't have a t, his average probably will be less than 50. He needs a home series against a weak side to get some confidence back.

Kind of form and frame of mind Kohli is in, I won't bet on him regaining his form even against weakest test sides.

 

[MP2011]

Tendulkar was hyper talented.Kohli has done really well and has maximised his talent to full extent.
I feel it’s more a mental aspect with Kohli with shot selection as whenever he has scored he has looked good.

If you saw his 18 yesterday, 3/4 boundaries he hit were towards square of vacant third man region, only 1 boundary hit was customary flick off pads of a buffet delivery.

That tells you he isn't his fluent self or is hitting in his areas of strength even during his short stays at crease.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Sachin was a master bat but not playing cover drive can be achieved against lesser bowlers.

If Mcgrath was bowling to him, he would have sensed that and got him out before he got to his 50 let alone 200.
That is probably the most hyped innings of Sachin played on a patta against a side missing it's best two bowlers. Mcgrath and Warne.

 

[MP2011]

Warne was Tendulkar's lifetime bunny so his absence actually harmed Tendulkar in that series.

McGrath had Tendulkar's measure in some innings and vice versa. As for patta pitches and playing lesser bowlers, most of Kohli's tons have come on patta pitches (more so in ODIs) and far lesser bowlers than Tendulkar played all his career. The aura of Kohli was made from chasing on these pattas and no name bowlers.

So let's not go there.

 

[Mobashir]

He was never an exceptional talent like Tendulkar. Just on par with a Test Batsman like Root.

Root Has nearly 10k test runs and is in the form of his life. Also, he is 2 years younger than Kohli so I think he is going to finish at a huge level.

 

[Ab Fan]

Tendulkar was hyper talented.Kohli has done really well and has maximised his talent to full extent.
I feel it’s more a mental aspect with Kohli with shot selection as whenever he has scored he has looked good.

Tendulkar was certainly more talented than Kohli but Kohli is talented enough to average 50 in Test Cricket too. As example, among the Fab four, he is definitely more talented than Smith and Kane and not far off from Root either. If you are looking for someone who maximised his talent to full extent, that will be Rahul Dravid.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

The absence of Warne and Mcgrath was the decisive factor, anyone with a working brain knows that.

It is also the reason why Dravid who was a failure in Australian conditions usually scored big runs on that tour.

As for Mcgrath vs Sachin let's just not go there.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

The noughties era was infamous for producing the most flat pitches in history of cricket and the worst quality of bowling.

Atleast have some basic knowledge before blabbering your opinions.

 

[MP2011]

At least have basic knowledge of yesteryear's cricketers before forming childish opinions.

Cricket didn't start in '10s when your hero started playing it. It has been played for a lot more decades.

As for Warne, this alone shows your ignorance regarding discussing about that era's cricketers. Forget it, well informed cricket discussions isn't your cup of tea.

 

[MP2011]

As for Tendulkar vs McGrath, this alone shows your lack of understanding of that era's cricket so stop embarassing yourself more.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Back on point, Scoring double hundred without playing a drive would have been difficult if Mcgrath played that match.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Why are we discussing SRT in Kohli thread?

Ranting for a guy who Couldn't win in a single trophy as a captain and player.

Choked entire career and finally setup a match with Bangla to finish 100 ton.

Never seen such a selfish cricketer.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

If Virat Kohli bats every innings this series, is dismissed each time, and scores less than 198 runs, his Test average will fall under 50.

 

[Bull]

Virat Kohli is the greatest Indian cricketer ever.
He is probably the 2nd or third best odi batsman ever after VIV Richards or maybe AB devilliers.
Even in test matches he has scored runs everywhere.He is struggling a bit here but he will come good.

 

[Varun]

Amazing that his captaincy is still holding well considering the loss of batting form and the recent off-field drama.

 

[happydavy]

I am not too worried, he's too good a player to be out of form for long. Only a matter of time before we see him scoring 6-8 centuries every year.

 

[jagatk]

I am not too worried, he's too good a player to be out of form for long. Only a matter of time before we see him scoring 6-8 centuries every year.

He's 33, has been averaging in mid 20's in last 14 tests. His captaincy is the only thing keeping him in the test team, will be interesting how long reputation keeps him in the t20 and odi squads.

 

[Unbiased-Fan]

With this current form, Kohli will probably finish his career averaging mid 40s.
He needs to play at home against poor teams as well to boost his average stats.

 

[James]

<b>IND vs SA: Virat Kohli's lean patch hits new low as Test skipper surpasses Dravid to script unwanted Indian record.</b>

<I>The dismissal on Day 4 extended Kohli's century drought to 768 days as the Indian skipper recorded second consecutive year without an international century.</I>

Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli's lean patch hit a new low on Wednesday as the 33-year-old scripted an unwanted Indian record surpassing former Indian cricketer and incumbent head coach Rahul Dravid.

Kohli scored a 32-ball 18 on Day 4 of the opening Test against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, chasing yet another wide ball from Marco Jansen. Earlier in the first innings, Kohli looked well set having played 94 balls en route to his 35-run knock before being dismissed chasing a wide-ish delivery from Lungi Ngidi.

With the dismissal, Kohli's career batting average fell for the 14th consecutive time, a streak that began exactly on the day he scored his last international century, on November 23 of 2019, when he had notched up a match-winning 136 against Bangladesh in the historic Pink Ball Test in Kolkata. Since then, Kohli's average has dropped from 54.97 to 50.34, the lowest he has registered since November 2017.

This streak of 14 innings is the most by an Indian batsman in Test cricket, with fellow teammate Ajinkya Rahane standing behind him with 13 such innings, which incidentally started after his marvellous century in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne last year.

Cheteshwar Pujara's 2014 streak of 11 innings stands third and Dravid's streak of 10 such innings between 2007 and 2008 stands fourth on the list.

The dismissal also extended Kohli's century drought to 768 days as the Indian skipper recorded second consecutive year without an international century.

Since his 136 at the Eden Gardens, Kohli has played 14 Tests, scoring 652 runs at 26.08 with fice half-centuries and 15 ODIs, where he scored 649 runs at 43.26 with eight fifties. He also featured in 23 T02I matches where he managed 777 runs with seven half-centuries.

—

Hindustan Times

 

[Napa]

Amazing that his captaincy is still holding well considering the loss of batting form and the recent off-field drama.

That’s because Indian players rather than Kohli the captain is the reason why India is winning Tests. Refer to what happened in the last Australian tour.

 

[giri26]

It will be unfortunate and sad if Virat finishes his career with an average under 50. He has been really poor and the way he has been getting out recently shows the bad habits from 2014 have returned. He needs to turn it around soon otherwise he will struggle to keep his place.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Will Kohli’s batting legacy be in question if he ends up averaging less than 50 in Tests?

50 for your country usually is held as a gold standard for a great batsman and it seems he is at risk of losing that

 

[Unbiased-Fan]

50 for your country usually is held as a gold standard for a great batsman and it seems he is at risk of losing that

Virat is among the GOATs in both ODIs and T20s, but same can't be said about tests. He has peaked exactly like Hashim Amla; ordinary start- extraordinary peak- ordinary end. But, his all format legacy and his record breaking captainship will definitely give him place in leagues of ATGs.

 

[transparent opacity]

Virat is one of the greatest ODI players, however, in Tests, that's not the case.
In ODIs, he's even better than Tendulkar, but in Tests, there are many better players.

This decline in form is really tarnishing his Legacy as a Test batsman.

 

[Savak]

I doubt if he will ever reach the standards he maintained from 2011 to 2019. Every peak reaches a fall.

 

[Justcrazy]

The thing is that the age 33 that Kohli shows is incorrect, he is at least 36, thus even though he still is a good player, his reflexes will not be the same which was 2 - 3 years back.

 

[Sam99]

Hopefully scores century in next match which could have been his 100th test as well.

 

[Zaz]

The thing is that the age 33 that Kohli shows is incorrect, he is at least 36, thus even though he still is a good player, his reflexes will not be the same which was 2 - 3 years back.

What makes you think hes 36?

Hes not born n brought up in some village somewhere where his age was not recorded n doctored

Its his official n correct age

 

[Tera Gawaandi]

The thing is that the age 33 that Kohli shows is incorrect, he is at least 36, thus even though he still is a good player, his reflexes will not be the same which was 2 - 3 years back.

Na, his dad was a criminal lawyer and must have registered his birth as they lived in national capital region. People who get away with fake date of birth are born in rural areas.

He looks way old though, but that's his stupid diet and fitness. Fat makes you look older when you are young, but makes you look younger after 35.

 

[Savak]

The thing is that the age 33 that Kohli shows is incorrect, he is at least 36, thus even though he still is a good player, his reflexes will not be the same which was 2 - 3 years back.

He is 33 years. You are forgetting the volume of Cricket he has played in the last 15 years i.e. U19 and A Cricket for India, he has been a regular with the Indian team since 2009, he has played every IPL. India plays a lot of cricket. He has a brutal fitness and diet regime which he follows daily. He has been India's captain for the last 6 years. Even if he is 33 years old, the workload and responsibilities he has carried all these years have aged him an extra 3-4 years.

If he wants to play till 40 like Tendulkar did he is going to have to make some decisions i.e. limiting his workload, adapting his diet and fitness regime, giving up the captaincy.

 

[MesonK]

Kohli is for sure older than what shows up on data. I think he could be easily around 35-36 right now. That is where most of the batsmen globally start to lose hand eye coordination. He will always carry this spot on his career of how he ended his test career with an average of 25-28 for two+ years.

 

[pillionrider]

Mastery from the King

 

[James]

His best innings in a while. Well played

 

[Justcrazy]

Na, his dad was a criminal lawyer and must have registered his birth as they lived in national capital region. People who get away with fake date of birth are born in rural areas.

He looks way old though, but that's his stupid diet and fitness. Fat makes you look older when you are young, but makes you look younger after 35.

He is 33 years. You are forgetting the volume of Cricket he has played in the last 15 years i.e. U19 and A Cricket for India, he has been a regular with the Indian team since 2009, he has played every IPL. India plays a lot of cricket. He has a brutal fitness and diet regime which he follows daily. He has been India's captain for the last 6 years. Even if he is 33 years old, the workload and responsibilities he has carried all these years have aged him an extra 3-4 years.

If he wants to play till 40 like Tendulkar did he is going to have to make some decisions i.e. limiting his workload, adapting his diet and fitness regime, giving up the captaincy.

In India, Pakistan etc most cricketers are over age , unless you are a son of a famous personality. Under 13 , Under 16 , Under 19 are all filled with overage players.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Im basing this on recent test and ODI series but his heart doesn't seem in it anymore.

I reckon he will retire after his hundredth test with a test average under 50.

If he decides to play longer then he risks finishing with a test average under 50 which will severely damage his legacy.