Image: Virat Kohli has struggled in Test cricket, recording the lowest batting average / © Hindustan Times
Being one of the legends of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli has surprisingly recorded the lowest batting average among Indian greats in Test cricket in his last 40 matches. His average of 32.29 stands below notable players like Cheteshwar Pujara (33.30), Sourav Ganguly (34.38), and Dilip Vengsarkar (35.68). This marks a significant dip from his earlier dominance in the format.
Indian batters with lowest batting average in 40 Tests:
Kohli’s struggles were evident during the recent five-match series against Australia, where he failed to cross the 200-run mark and managed just one century at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Australian pacers exposed his vulnerability outside the off-stump, dismissing him eight times caught behind.
His lean patch isn’t new; Kohli has failed to impress against England, New Zealand, and Bangladesh in the past year. With the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee looking to take tough calls, Kohli’s spot in the Test side could be under threat ahead of the upcoming England series.
Compared to Indian icons like Sachin Tendulkar (42.96) and Sunil Gavaskar (42.00), Kohli’s recent performances have been below par, raising concerns over his long-term place in the Test setup.