Virat Kohli’s dip in form continued as he struggled in the first Test against Bangladesh, held in Chennai. In both innings, Kohli managed poor scores of 6 and 17. In the first innings, he chased a wide delivery outside the off stump from Hasan Mahmud, while in the second innings, he was given out leg-before-wicket (LBW) on a wrong decision. Kohli chose not to review the decision, but the Ultraedge technology showed that the ball hit the bat, meaning he would have been given not out if he had gone for the review.
Kohli’s Form Slump in 2024
This year has been tough for Kohli across all formats. In 15 matches and 17 innings, he has only managed to score 319 runs at an average of 18.76. His highest score of 76 came during the T20 World Cup final against South Africa, and he has just one half-century to his name.
Kohli’s Test Stats Over the Years
Kohli’s Test average has now fallen to its lowest in eight years. In his 114 Test matches and 193 innings, he has scored 8,871 runs at an average of 48.74, with 29 centuries and 30 fifties. The last time his average dropped below this was in November 2016, when it was 48.28.
Since the start of 2020, Kohli has struggled in Test cricket. In 30 Tests, he has scored only 1,669 runs at an average of 32.72, with just two centuries and eight fifties from 52 innings. His highest score during this period was 186.
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Kohli’s Performance in the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship
In the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (2023-2025), Kohli has played five Tests and eight innings, scoring 392 runs at an average of 49.00. He has scored one century and two fifties, with a top score of 121. As India aims for their first WTC title, Kohli’s form will be crucial in the upcoming matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia, which will determine if India can reach their third consecutive WTC final.
India’s Struggles Against Bangladesh
In the first Test against Bangladesh, India won the toss and decided to bat. However, the top order collapsed, leaving India at 34/3. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant formed a partnership of 62 runs for the fourth wicket to steady the innings. When India was struggling at 144/6, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja put together a 199-run stand, pushing India’s total to 376 in 91.2 overs.
Hasan Mahmud led Bangladesh’s bowling attack, taking the crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli. Taskin Ahmed also contributed by taking three wickets for 55 runs.
Bangladesh, in their first innings, kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Although Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz put up some resistance, India’s bowlers, particularly Bumrah and Akash Deep, dominated the game. Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja also took two wickets each.
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