Virat Kohli’s Weak Form and Weakness Outside Off-Stump: Why Is No One Talking About It?

In the Sydney Test, when Rohit Sharma was dropped from the side or rather when he ‘took a rest’, it did not come as a big shock. The talk on the street was that the tour’s captain would not play in the last Test at the earliest, following a lackluster performance in the series. He has so far managed to get 31 runs in 3 matches with an average of 6. It was quite expected of Jasprit Bumrah to step up and take the mantle, at least in this match in the series.

Why is Virat Kohli Still in the Test Team?

Maybe it was wise not to put Rohit in the game who was an easy target for Aussie bowlers. But then if Rohit as captain can be replaced then why can’t the other senior player Virat Kohli be replaced from the team. Apart from that second innings hundred against Perth, he has been quite average, and in 8 innings in the series, he has been dismissed 7 times, to deliveries outside off.

It’s becoming a habit now. The Australian bowlers are constantly bowling it wide of off stump and Virat Kohli goes for it. It happened on Friday during the first day of the Sydney Test. Kohli played a scoop on a ball from Scott Boland and Beau Webster caught it in the slips. Kohli has so far managed to get 184 runs in 5 matches that have been played so far in the series with an average of 26.

Virat's Struggles in Tests Since 2020

This is not talking about this series or the previous one for that matter. The great Virat Kohli has not been in his element in Test matches for quite some time now. Ever since the year 2020, Kohli has not lived up to his usual form in the Test matches. Since the beginning of the year 2020, Kohli has played 39 matches and has scored 2022 runs at an average of 31. He has made only 3 centuries, 9 half centuries and has been out for a duck five times.

The same is seen with Virat Kohli when it comes to his performances in the SENA nations. In Australia, he has played 6 Tests since 2020 where he has managed to score 262 runs at an average of 29 with one century and one fifty. In England he has played 5 Tests wherein he has managed to score 249 runs at an average of 27 without even having a century. In New Zealand he has only scored 38 runs in 2 Test matches at an average of 9.50. In South Africa, he has performed relatively well and has scored 333 runs in 4 matches at an average of 41.

Even in India, his numbers have dipped. In 16 Tests, Virat was scored 778 runs at an average of 29. So why is he still a regular in the team, while only Rohit Sharma is asked to step aside?