Star Indian cricket sensation Virat Kohli is currently facing significant challenges in meeting the high expectations associated with him during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While he showcased his remarkable talent by scoring a century in the first Test held in Perth, his subsequent performances have raised eyebrows. The 36-year-old batsman has struggled with scores of 7, 11, 3, 36, and 5 runs in his following innings. This alarming trend of low scores has led to intense scrutiny regarding his position in the playing XI, especially as the selectors are contemplating a much-needed transition within the Indian Test squad.

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has expressed his disappointment with Kohli’s recent form during this crucial series. The 40-year-old highlighted that Kohli’s performance in red-ball cricket has been underwhelming over the past five years, revealing that his batting average hovers around 28. Alarmingly, since October 2024, this average has plummeted to an even lower 21. Pathan emphasized that these disappointing statistics do not do justice to Kohli’s legendary status and suggested that it is a matter for which the Delhi-born cricketer should feel embarrassed.

“It’s been five years. You are such a prominent player, and your average in the last five years has been around 28. Does Indian cricket truly deserve this? Should Indian cricket accept an average of 28 from their top player? Absolutely not, they deserve far better than this,” Pathan stated during a candid discussion on Star Sports. His words reflect a growing concern among fans and analysts alike regarding Kohli’s capability to perform consistently at an elite level.

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“He has maintained an average of 21 since October 2024. The Indian team deserves much more than that. Even a young and inexperienced player could manage an average of 21. We anticipate greater contributions from Virat. Given that your career average is nearly 50, these figures are indeed a cause for embarrassment,” he added, emphasizing the need for Kohli to elevate his game.

Pathan Analyzes Kohli’s Recurrent Struggles with Deliveries Outside Off-Stump

Kohli has faced dismissals to deliveries pitching outside off-stump on six out of seven occasions in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Pathan asserts that Kohli must acknowledge these recurring mistakes and learn from them, as he continues to fall into the same traps. 

“If you analyze his dismissals, all the balls were pitched outside the stumps. If you refrain from playing at them, they will pass through to the wicketkeeper, allowing the bowler to devise an alternative strategy. Exceptional players understand the importance of minimizing the recurrence of similar mistakes. Virat seems to be repeating the same errors time and again. Australia isn’t even shifting from Plan A to Plan B; he is getting dismissed by Plan A itself,” Pathan elaborated, highlighting the need for Kohli to adapt his approach and tactics.

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