Legendary West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts has offered some crucial advice to Virat Kohli, who has been struggling to find consistent form in Test cricket for the past five years. Despite his recent achievement of scoring his long-awaited 30th Test century in the first Test match in Perth, Kohli's performance dipped in the second Test at Adelaide, where he managed only 7 and 11 runs across two innings. This inconsistency has led to increased scrutiny surrounding the former India captain, who has been under pressure to regain his form and lead India’s batting line-up effectively.
Reflecting on Kohli's struggles, Roberts expressed concern about the ongoing issue, offering his thoughts on why the star batter is facing challenges in the longer format of the game. In a recent interview with Mid-day, Roberts pointed out that Kohli needs to refocus his energy and commitment toward Test cricket, a format that demands prolonged concentration and patience. "One of your best batsmen of all-time has been struggling for the last five years," Roberts remarked, acknowledging Kohli's remarkable past but recognizing the difficulties the Indian batter has faced in recent years. Roberts emphasized that the demands of Test cricket have shifted, and players who want to succeed must dedicate themselves to mastering the art of playing the long game. He noted, "The standard of Test cricket is not the same. The top batsmen look as if they are struggling," which suggests that Kohli's struggles are not unique, as other top players have also faced challenges in adapting to modern Test cricket.
Kohli's stats in the past five years reflect his struggles. Since 2020, Kohli has played in 36 Test matches (64 innings), scoring 1,961 runs at an average of 32.14, which is far below his career average. With just three centuries and nine half-centuries, his performance in the longest format of the game has been inconsistent and underwhelming compared to his previous dominance. This has created a sense of urgency surrounding his future, particularly as he enters what many consider a critical phase of his career.
Further compounding Kohli's difficulties is his recent underperformance in the New Zealand series, where he managed a mere 93 runs across three matches. This poor showing added to the pressure on both him and Rohit Sharma, India's other senior batter, who has also been struggling for runs in the ongoing Test season. Together, Kohli and Sharma are central to India's batting strength, and their inability to find form has been a major talking point as India prepares for the next Test match.
India’s loss in the second Test in Adelaide—a comprehensive 10-wicket defeat—has heightened the pressure on the team. The players now face the daunting task of bouncing back in the third Test at Gabba, Brisbane, a venue known for its challenging conditions. The onus will be on experienced players like Kohli and Sharma to turn things around, with their leadership and performances becoming even more critical in this high-stakes series. With the future of India's batting line-up often tied to the performances of these stalwarts, fans and critics alike will be closely watching their every move, hoping for a resurgence that can restore India’s momentum in the series.
The role of Kohli and Sharma as senior figures within the squad has always been pivotal, not just for their individual batting prowess but also for setting an example for younger players to follow. Given the pressure they both face, it will be interesting to see whether they can adapt to the evolving challenges of Test cricket. Roberts’ advice to Kohli, suggesting a renewed focus and commitment to the format, comes at a critical time, and it remains to be seen if the star batter can rekindle his form and once again lead from the front in India's quest for victory in the upcoming Test matches. With the third Test set to begin, the Indian team, under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, will heavily rely on its senior players to show resilience and deliver performances that can turn the tide in India's favor.
