"Virat Kohli has batted on ordinary wickets"- Aaron Finch

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch feels that Virat Kohli has batted in ordinary wickets in the last couple of years. Otherwise, his Test stats would have been better. Virat Kohli has shattered many records after gaining back his form in Asia Cup 2022.

Virat Kohli went through a slump post-COVID period in 2020 and 2021. He failed to score centuries in Tests and ODIs for a long time and also struggled to come up with a consistent batting show. However, the former India skipper bounced back in Asia Cup 2022, when he smacked his first T20I century against Afghanistan.

Later, the right-handed batter started 2023 on a fabulous note, smacking 2 ODI tons in his first two games against Sri Lanka. Later, the Indian stalwart tasted enormous success in the ODI World Cup 2023. He finished as the leading run-getter in the tournament to win the player-of-the-series award.

The 33-year-old also broke the record for most runs in an ODI World Cup tournament, smacking 765 runs across 11 games with 3 centuries and 6 half-centuries averaging 95+. The former India skipper also broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most ODI tons during the tournament.

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Virat Kohli has been batting on some ordinary wickets: Aaron Finch

While speaking on ESPN, cricketer-turned-commentator Aaron Finch said that Virat Kohli has been batting in some ordinary wickets in the last couple of years, otherwise, his numbers would be high in Tests as well.

“Virat Kohli has been batting in some ordinary wickets in the last couple of years, his numbers would have been in the high 50s in Tests as well”, said the 37-year-old.

Virat Kohli has 50-plus averages across both ODIs and T20Is. However, his Test average is a little lower at 49.16. Moreover, he has already crossed 13000 runs in ODIs. However, he is yet to touch the 10K mark in Tests, as he has mustered a little less than 9000 runs in the longest format till now.

Also Read: Aaron Finch backs 40-over ODI games, feels it will help weaker teams like West Indies

ODIs should be redacted to 40 overs- Aaron Finch

Meanwhile, Aaron Finch also backed reducing ODIs to 40-overs. According to Finch, ODIs become too slow with 50 overs, and the shortening of them will attract more viewers.

“I think it goes to 40 overs, I would love to see that. In England, they used to have the pro-40 and that was a huge competition. I think the game has gone too long, in my opinion”.

“The speed that the teams bowl their 50 overs is so slow, it’s down around 11 or 12 overs/hour and that is not acceptable. People will argue that maybe it is a glorified T20 game but it is about the crowds,” the former Australia opener said.

Also Read: Will Virat Kohli return in IND vs ENG Tests? BCCI official gives crucial update

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is currently on a break due to personal reasons. He is not part of the IND vs ENG Test series. Kohli is expecting his second child and has not made clear to BCCI when he will return to the field. Kohli last played in IND vs AFG T20I series last month.