Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 20 (ANI): India’s cricketing legend Virat Kohli continues to face challenges against spin bowlers in Asia, a struggle that has persisted since 2021. His recent performance in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Chennai was another example of this ongoing issue.

In this Test match, Kohli managed to score only 6 runs in the first innings and 17 runs in the second. During the first innings, he was dismissed after chasing an outside off-stump delivery by Hasan Mahmud, resulting in his early exit.

The second innings saw Kohli once again fall prey to spinners. This time, Mehidy Hasan Miraz trapped him in front of the stumps, leading to his dismissal. Interestingly, the Ultraedge technology replay revealed a spike when Kohli’s bat made contact with the ball, indicating that he could have been given not out if he had opted for a review. Unfortunately, Kohli chose not to use the Decision Review System (DRS), leaving him to walk back to the pavilion with a score of 17.

Since 2021, Kohli’s performance in Test cricket has been less than stellar. He has accumulated 499 runs from 1,094 balls, averaging 27.72 with a strike rate of 45.61, and has been dismissed 18 times during this period. This performance highlights his ongoing struggle to find consistency.

The year 2024 has been particularly challenging for Kohli across all formats of the game. In 15 matches and 17 innings, he has scored just 319 runs, averaging a mere 18.76. His only notable performance this year was a half-century, with his highest score being 76 during the T20 World Cup final against South Africa.

Kohli’s Test average has hit an eight-year low. Over the course of his career, spanning 114 Tests and 193 innings, he has amassed 8,871 runs at an average of 48.74, including 29 centuries and 30 fifties. The last time his average dipped below this was in November 2016 when it stood at 48.28.

The 2020s have not been kind to Kohli in Test cricket. Since the start of 2020, he has played 30 Tests and scored only 1,669 runs at an average of 32.72. This period has seen him score just two centuries and eight fifties over 52 innings, with his best score being 186.

However, in the current ICC World Test Championship cycle (2023-25), Kohli has shown some signs of revival. In five Tests and eight innings, he has scored 392 runs at an average of 49.00, including a century and two fifties, with his highest score being 121.

As India aims for their maiden World Test Championship title, the team will be hoping for Kohli to rediscover his prime form in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia.

These struggles underline the importance of Kohli’s role in India’s quest for success, and fans will be eager to see him regain his former glory on the international stage.