Virat Kohli should retire from Test cricket? Brad Hogg delivers bold verdict
Published - 22 Sep 2024, 04:55 PM | Updated - 22 Sep 2024, 04:57 PM
Table of Contents
Former Australia spinner Brag Hogg feels Virat Kohli needs to step up his batting form if India needs to win the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. His reply came in response to a fan's query who asked if Virat Kohli should retire from Tests.
Virat Kohli was part of the IND vs BAN 1st Test in Chennai. The right-handed batsman batted in both innings but failed to come up with a brilliant show. Batting at no.4, Kohli got out for 6 and 17 in both innings.
Hence, he largely failed to make an impact with the bat. However, India managed an easy win over Bangladesh in the match. Team India defeated them by 280 after setting up a gigantic target of 515 in the final innings.
Should Virat Kohli retire from Tests? Brad Hogg answers
During a live video show, a fan asked former Australia leg spinner if Virat Kohli should retire from Test. Hogg said no but also urged Kohli to improve his performance in the upcoming games. He feels Kohli holds a crucial batting position for the Team at No.4.
"No, I think Virat Kohli should play out these next 10 Test matches over the next 15 weeks. See how he goes there. But he does have to improve. He has to lift his game. He's got to get that consistency again", he said.
"If India is going to have a chance of winning the World Test Championship, he at number four is crucial. Number four is a vital position. It's a position where you can control the game," he further added.
Also Read: Watch: Rohit Sharma gives a death stare to Akash Deep; T Dilip in shock
Should Kohli Retire From Test Matches too? | #Hoggout
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) September 22, 2024
What do you think? Leave a comment
Watch full episode on Hoggout: https://t.co/PEFaFCZIdO
#Cricket #INDvBAN #viratkohli pic.twitter.com/pGprFMaaUP
India will be tough team to beat in WTC if Kohli performs, feels Hogg
Brag Hogg also feels if Kohli plays his role well, Team India will be a tough team to bat in ICC World Test Championship 2023-25.
"You can bat through the latter part of the innings. And with the explosive batting that they've got in that middle order, they definitely need Virat Kohli to really step up and play his role with the batting through the innings right to the end", he said.
"If he can do that, then India will be very hard to beat in this World Test Championship. But he's got to start performing. Otherwise, selectors are going to have to start thinking about whether they go for youth moving forward or give him more opportunities", he concluded.
Notably, many senior batters like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have lost their places in the Test side to youngsters due to inconsistent performance. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two veteran players for Team India in Tests.
Also Read: Watch- Yashasvi Jaiswal takes an outstanding catch at short leg to dismiss Shakib Al Hasan
Kohli-Rohit have bid goodbye to T20Is
Both bid goodbye to T20Is after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Now, they are focused on only the longer formats of the game. Meanwhile, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma also failed to perform in IND vs BAN 1st Test.
The Indian opener got out for 6 and 5 in both innings and failed to impress with the bat. However, he showed good leadership skills as Team India dominated Bangladesh throughout the match.
India has gained a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. India and Bangladesh will lock horns in one more game in the ongoing series. The IND vs BAN 2nd Test begins on September 27 in Kanpur.
India also takes the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 with a win percentage of 71+. They are highly likely to grab a place in the final this time too.
