Virat Kohli’s form in Test cricket has taken an unfortunate turn in 2024. The star India batter, known for his consistency in all formats, has found himself on a list of players with the lowest averages in first innings since the start of 2024. Kohli’s latest struggles were apparent in the Sydney Test against Australia, a match that further highlighted his ongoing issues with the bat in the longer format.
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Virat Kohli’s Struggles in First Innings Since 2024
A Series of Low Scores
Kohli’s performance in the first innings of Tests since 2024 has been far from ideal. In five innings, he has accumulated just 35 runs, with a dismal average of 7.00. His scores include 17, 7, 5, 0, and 6, highlighting a series of failures. These numbers have placed him second on the list for the lowest averages among Test players, trailing only South African spinner Keshav Maharaj, who has a 5.4 average in the same period.
Comparison with Other Players
What’s particularly concerning for Kohli is that even tailenders like Bumrah have outperformed him in this regard. Bumrah, known for his pace, has a batting average of 10 in first innings since 2024, scoring 70 runs across seven innings with a best score of 26. Kohli’s struggles have placed him in the company of lesser-known players, such as English spinner Shoaib Bashir, who has an average of 8.33.
The Sydney Test: A Microcosm of Kohli’s Struggles
The Innings Breakdown
In the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, India elected to bat first but faced early setbacks. Kohli, once again, failed to deliver, getting out for just 17 runs after facing 69 balls. His inability to counter deliveries outside the off stump led to his third dismissal in the series at the hands of pacer Scott Boland.
Key Contributions from Others
While Kohli’s struggles were evident, others like Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah showed resilience. Pant scored 40 runs off 98 balls, while Jadeja made 26 in 95 balls. Bumrah, known for his bowling prowess, contributed 22 runs off 17 balls. Their efforts helped push India to a total of 185, although the team was all out in 72.2 overs.
Australian Bowlers Shine
Scott Boland was the standout bowler for Australia, taking 4 wickets for 31 runs. Mitchell Starc also played a pivotal role, claiming 3 wickets for 49 runs, while Pat Cummins contributed with 2 wickets for 37 runs.
Virat Kohli’s ongoing struggles with the bat in the first innings of Tests in 2024 have been a major talking point. His low average, coupled with poor performances in key matches like the Sydney Test, raises concerns about his form. As the series progresses, Kohli will need to rediscover his consistency to help India maintain its competitive edge in international cricket.
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