'Virat Kohli should be ashamed of his numbers': World Cup winner's sensational take

Virat Kohli's poor run continued in Melbourne as he couldn't cross the fifty-run mark across both the innings. The 36-year-old hasn't been in great form with the bat in the whole Border-Gavaskar Trophy so far.

Kohli has been heavily criticized for his poor returns and there have been talks on his retirement as well. Recently, former India allrounder Irfan Pathan has also joined the list and criticized Kohli for letting Indian cricket down.

Pathan spoke about Kohli's poor form that has been since the start of India's home season in September this year and claimed that a lot more is expected from a batter of his potential.

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Irfan Pathan lashes out at Virat Kohli's poor form

During a discussion on Star Sports, Irfan Pathan reminded everyone of Virat Kohli's numbers in the last five years in Test cricket. According to him, Indian cricket deserves a lot better than Kohli's numbers in the last five years in Tests.

"It's been five years. You are such a big player and your average in the last five years has been close to 28. Does Indian cricket deserve this? Does Indian cricket deserve an average of 28 from their best player? Absolutely not, they deserve better than this," Pathan noted.

Pathan even claimed that even a young player will play better than Kohli at the moment. Further slamming the talismanic batter, Pathan added that Kohli should be ashamed of the poor numbers recently.

"He has an average of 21 since October 2024. The Indian team doesn't deserve that. Even a young player will give you an average of 21. You expect more than this from Virat. If your career average is close to 50, these are numbers to be ashamed of," he added.

Irfan Pathan on Virat Kohli's mode of dismissals

Irfan Pathan further noted a similar pattern of dismissals for Virat Kohli which is outside the off stump. He questioned the star Indian batter's ability to play on helpful conditions by claiming that he is getting out in a similar way every time.

"If you look at his dismissals, all the balls were outside the stumps. If you don't touch them, the balls will go to the wicketkeeper, and the bowler will definitely do something else. Good players increase the gap between two same mistakes," Pathan said.

Virat Kohli has been constantly tested on the fourth and fifth stump by the bowlers. His vulnerability is well known by the bowlers across the world and he has found it tough to counter such dismissals.

Virat Kohli's recent numbers

In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Virat Kohli has scored 167 runs in four Tests at an average of 27.83. Apart from his hundred in Perth and the 36 in Melbourne, he has looked totally out of form.

In the home Tests prior to this series, Kohli scored 192 runs in 10 innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand. He has found it tough against both pace and spin bowling which has raised concerns over the remaining part of his career.