Virat Kohli a burden on Team India? Ricky Ponting humiliates India star by digging into stats

Former Australia National Cricket Team skipper Ricky Ponting talked about the poor form of Virat Kohli in Test cricket. He said that batters not scoring runs and not hitting centuries in the format is a concern for the India National Cricket Team.

India National Cricket Team batter Virat Kohli has been undergoing a lean patch in Test cricket for the last few years. The batter has failed to get going and has been struggling against both pacers as well as spinners, getting out on low scores while batting at No.4.

Virat Kohli has been averaging 22.72 in six matches so far this year

Kohli, who was rated as one of the best Test batters, since the last few years hasn't been at his best at all. The batter averaged above 50 in Test cricket from 2016 to 2019, and after that, he witnessed a massive downfall, scoring 1838 runs from 34 Tests at an average of 31.68, to go with two centuries.

In 2024, Kohli looked completely out of sorts with the bat. He played in a Test against the South Africa National Cricket Team and, after that, featured in the home Test season. But he couldn't make an impact as was expected of him.

Virat Kohli has been averaging 22.72 in six matches so far this year. This also has been for the first time in 10 years that he has slipped out of the top-20 list in the ICC Test rankings. He failed in the entire home season as well as mustered under 200 runs in 5 games.

I saw a stat the other day about Virat, it said he's only scored two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years - Ricky Ponting

Talking about Kohli's poor numbers, Ricky Ponting called it a concern and said that a player who have scored just 3 centuries in five years shouldn't be playing international cricket. Speaking to ICC about the same, he explained:

"I saw a stat the other day about Virat, it said he's only scored two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years. That didn't seem right to me, but if that is right, then that is, I mean, that's a concern.

"There wouldn't be anyone else probably even playing international cricket as a top-order batsman that's only scored two Test match hundreds in five years.”

You don't ever question the greats of the game - Ricky Ponting on Virat Kohli

Ricky Ponting further said that players like Virat Kohli, who are greats of the game, shouldn't be questioned. He believes that the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia will be a great opportunity for India's batters to turn things around.

Ricky Ponting also highlighted Virat Kohli's record in Australia. He also said that he wouldn't be surprised if the India batter made runs in the first game of the series. He explained:

"I've said it before about Virat, you don't ever question the greats of the game. There's no doubt, he's a great of the game. He loves playing against Australia. In fact, I know he loves playing against Australia.

"And as I said, his record (in Australia) is very good. If there's a time for him to turn it around, it'd be this series. So I wouldn't be surprised to see Virat make runs in the first game.”

Virat Kohli now would be hoping to turn around the tables in the Australia tour. The Test series between the teams will begin on 22nd November in Perth.

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