Virat Kohli’s batting performance in BGT 2024-25: A rollercoaster of triumphs and challenges
New Delhi: What rises must eventually fall, and so did Virat Kohli as the pressure of being ‘The King’ became too much during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The cricketing icon struggled to leave an impact with the bat this time around.
Kohli, who stands as the fifth-highest run scorer in the history of the Border-Gavaskar series, couldn’t find his rhythm this time, managing only one century and failing to produce any significant scores in the ongoing edition of the series.
This is a remarkable turn of events, as Kohli boasts an impressive record in Australia, amassing 1352 runs in 13 matches over four visits, placing him second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 1809 runs in 20 games. In fact, the star batsman managed just 190 runs in 5 matches, with his only century being an unbeaten knock in India’s victory in the first Test. After that, Kohli has faced significant struggles with the bat.
This represents his second-lowest run tally in a Border-Gavaskar series (third-lowest if we account for the 2020/21 series, where he left after the opening Test due to personal reasons) throughout his illustrious career.
Runs Scored By Virat Kohli in Every Border-Gavaskar Series So Far In His Career:
- 2011/12 (Australia): Runs: 300
- 2012/13 (India): Runs: 284
- 2014/15 (Australia): Runs: 692
- 2016/17 (India): Runs: 46
- 2018/19 (Australia): Runs: 282
- 2020/21 (Australia): Runs: 74
- 2022/23 (India): Runs: 297
- 2024/25 (Australia): Runs: 190
What was even more disheartening (or perhaps more frustrating) was Kohli’s repeated method of dismissal throughout the series. The Indian batter fell to deliveries outside the off stump, often nicking them to the slips for easy catches, an alarming 8 times out of his 9 dismissals. This predictable flaw gave Australia a reliable strategy to neutralize Kohli’s impact at the crease whenever they chose.
His recent form and age have sparked concerns over whether the iconic Indian batsman can continue performing at the highest level in Test cricket. India, however, will face a challenging situation when addressing this potential shift, should it occur. For now, the team remains focused on seizing every opportunity to win the final Test, aiming to level the series, retain their trophy, and crucially, keep their hopes for the World Test Championship alive.