Virat Kohli (Getty Images) When Virat Kohli scored a hundred in the second innings of the Perth Test, it seemed returning to Australia has done the trick for the batting legend and he is back at his best. But what followed after that was a trend too familiar over the last few years. Besides his 100 not out in Perth, Kohli scored just 90 runs in his other innings combined across the five Tests of the Border Gavaskar Trophy , which India lost 1-3 after the six-wicket defeat in Sydney on Sunday.
For his 190 runs in 9 innings, Kohli averaged a meager 23.75 -- which has once again led to questions whether India's persistence with Kohli is based on his reputation as a batting legend. Gautam Gambhir press conference: On Kohli, Rohit and dressing room "India doesn't need superstar culture, India needs team culture," said former India allrounder Irfan Pathan on Star Sports, talking about Kohli's poor run since 2020.
He also questioned what has stopped Kohli from playing domestic cricket for 12 years. He last played in 2012. "Tell me one thing.
When last did Virat Kohli play domestic cricket, even despite being free (not on national duty), when did it happen?" Irfan asked. "It's been so long..
.Even the great Sachin Tendulkar played (domestic cricket) after that (2012). He didn't have to but still he played because of things like spending time on the wicket, fielding for four days, bat again in the second innings.
.." Looking at Kohli's Test numbers since 2024, he has played 39 matches a.
