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The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is set to be a high-stakes clash, and all eyes are on Virat Kohli, whose recent form has been a subject of intense scrutiny. Despite a formidable record against Australia, Kohli's performance has dipped significantly since 2020, raising concerns about his ability to deliver on Australian soil. This decline is evidenced by his Test average dropping to 31.68 from a commanding average exceeding 50 in the preceding years. This slump includes a meager two centuries in 34 Test matches, a statistic that even surprised former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
Ponting expressed his concern about Kohli's performance, stating, "I saw a stat the other day about Virat, it said he has only scored two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years. That did not seem right to me, but if that is right, then that is, I mean, that is a concern." He further pointed out that no other top-order batsman in international cricket has scored so few Test centuries in the last five years. Kohli's struggles are further highlighted by his Test average in 2024, which plummeted to 22.72, his lowest since his debut year in 2011. This poor run of form has seen him drop out of the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings top 20 for the first time in a decade.
Despite these concerning statistics, Ricky Ponting remains optimistic about Kohli's chances of turning things around. "I have said it before about Virat, you do not ever question the greats of the game. There is no doubt, he is a great of the game," remarked Ponting. He acknowledged Kohli's love for playing against Australia and pointed out his strong record in Australia. "In fact, I know he loves playing against Australia. And as I said, his record in Australia is very good. If there is a time for him to turn it around, it would be this series. So I would not be surprised to see Virat make runs in the first game." Kohli's past performance in Australia certainly supports Ponting's confidence. He boasts an average of 54.08 on Australian pitches, amassing 1,352 runs in 13 Tests, including six centuries. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy carries immense weight as it contributes to the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 qualification. India will be looking to Kohli to rediscover his form and lead the batting lineup against a formidable Australian bowling attack.
Source: 'Do not ever question the greats': Ricky Ponting on Virat Kohli's lean patch