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Virat Kohli, the Test batsman - How would you rate him?

Ted123

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He has done phenomenal in limited overs format and there is not much questions left about his ability in shorter form of the game as he is already an all time great.

But in tests, he is yet to do anything exceptional and has issues vs swing and seam.His consistency is also a bit under radar.However, his stats are pretty good for a test batsmen.

How would you rate him in tests?

Averages 49.xx with the bat.
 
One of the best test batsman playing today but needs a lot of improvement if he wants to end his career as a Test ATG.

Steve Smith

gap

Virat Kohli
Joe Root/Kane williamson

This is the hierarchy as it stands right now
 
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Will end up with sub-50 average. Pitches aren't that flat in tests as they used to be in from 2005-2011/12. That was the time when everyone started averaging 50 during that phase and all great ones started averaging 60. However since then it's going back to 1990s like scenario in some way.

His ATG status will depend on his performances in key series in future.
 
He normally has brilliant series followed by medicore one. He needs to be lot more consistent and have atleast a decent series in eng. The difference between him and smith is same as their difference between them in limited overs.
He must average 50 plus with some match winning performances in atleast one touring phase of his career to go down as an atg.
Considering till today kohli is a very good test player who can easily become great or country atg but has to show much more consistency and performances to be an atg.
 
Has a high ceiling but hasn't done much to fulfil the potential.

Have a feeling he would end up as someone like KP. Although that would be a tragedy
 
his problem in tests is he tries to play one day shots like dabs to 3 rd man and get caught in slips along with his tendency to feel for balls pitched at 5th stump line .
 
Good player but not even best in his team

Pujara is arguably the better test batsman than Kohli.Kohli does play well and have records by his side to prove that but he still needs the maturity to play at the test level

On contrary to kohli pujara has the ability to bat for sessions,more solid technique for tests,might not be as interesting to watch as Kohli, but gives viewer a more than secure feeling that he won't give away his wicket.

Nevertheless pujara is yet to prove his worth away from asia but i guess its a matter of time for him
 
One of the best test batsman playing today but needs a lot of improvement if he wants to end his career as a Test ATG.

Steve Smith

gap

Virat Kohli
Joe Root/Kane williamson

This is the hierarchy as it stands right now

virat and kane with root and azhar is up there but he lacks 2nd gear so i will place him below though numbers are good..
 
Very good test batsmen. The coming overseas tours will be the real test.You expect a player to have a few match winning knocks away from home and Kohli has none till now.

So it could go any way.
 
I can't think of another batsman right now who as done as well as him away from home except Smith (not including Cook, Amla and AB because they're a generation ahead of Kohli).
 
the problem with him is if he fails he fails spectacularly and for a main batsman in the team it does not bode well.
 
He is underrated in tests. He has only really failed in England. Be has dominated a series in Australia which many subcontinental players can't say.

I don't think Pujara is a better test player then him. Pujara hasn't done as good outside of the subcontinent as Kohli has. Furthermore Kohli has an extra gear which Pujara doesn't.

Kohli needs to improve in South Africa,England,NZ then he should do enough to finish as an ATG in tests.
 
People call him average or poor in test needs to know that how many so called poor batsmen average close to 50 in test?

He may not be the best but he is certainly not some pushover. He just need one good season to reach his full potential in test.
 
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