Irfan Pathan blasts Virat Kohli: Do India deserve underperforming seniors?

Former India cricketer-turned commentator Irfan Pathan feels it’s about time that the Indian team management started backing a youngster in place of Virat Kohli. Notably, Kohli continued his poor form in the recent five-match Test series against Australia, accumulating just 190 runs from five matches (9 innings) at an average of 23.75 with one hundred to his name.

Following his poor show, Irfan Pathan heavily criticised the star India batter highlighting his poor average in the first innings. He also goes on to mention Kohli’s depleting numbers in the post-covid era and said that even a youngster can average between 25-30 with regular chances.

“In 2024, in the first innings where the game is set up, Virat Kohli averages just 15. If we take out his numbers in the last five years, he doesn’t even average 30. Is this what the Indian team deserves from his senior player? Instead of him, you give regular chances to a youngster, give him time to get prepared, even he can average 25-30. Because we are discussing about the team here not the individuals,” said Pathan on Star Sports.

Kohli’s poor form since 2020

Since 2020, Kohli has scored 2028 runs from 39 matches (69 innings) at an average of 30.72 with three hundreds and nine fifties. Since 2024, he’s accumulated 440 runs from 11 matches (21 innings) at an average of 23.15 with one hundred and one fifty. His first innings average since 2024 is 15.63 compared to 33.50 in the second innings.

Due to his prolonged poor form, Kohli’s Test average has gone from 54.97 in 2019 to 46.85 now. Hence, Kohli has gone through one of the worst slumps in Test cricket as his place in the team is also being questioned repeatedly. It remains to be seen how long the star will be allowed to continue or will the management finally take a harsh call on his Test future with the England tour lined up.