In another discouraging turn for Indian cricket, veteran batter Virat Kohli has found himself dismissed once again, raising questions about his form as he struggles with a disappointing average of 24.52 in 2024. His wife , actress Anushka Sharma, was filmed with a worried expression, which quickly went viral on social media platforms. With the Indian team trailing 2-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Kohli is under scrutiny to feature in the crucial final Test, with captain Jasprit Bumrah looking for his star player to step up.
Kohli’s final dismissal saw him bowl a delivery outside off stump, a familiar scenario as it was the seventh time he was caught in this series. After scoring a century in the second innings of the Perth Test, Kohli’s recent performances have left a lot to be desired with his run tally remaining surprisingly low.
Understandably frustrated with his performance, Kohli’s disappointment was palpable, but it was Anushka’s reaction that caught the attention of fans and media. As she shook her head in dismay, it became a poignant moment, emblematic of the pressures elite athletes face.
At 36, Kohli is nearing the twilight of his career, having recently announced his retirement from the T20 format. This year, he has managed to score just 417 runs in 19 innings, at an average of just 24.52, which is alarming considering his storied past.
In the first innings in Sydney, Kohli occupied the field for 69 deliveries but could only muster 17 runs before being dismissed. Alarmingly, his average has fallen to a dismal 7 in the first Test innings since 2024, placing him among the worst-performing batters during this period. For comparison, Jasprit Bumrah, the team captain, has a slightly better first innings average of 10.
With captain Rohit Sharma already ruled out due to his own fitness issues, pressure is mounting on Kohli, often called the ‘king’ of Indian cricket, to respond and deliver in the second innings of the match. Although India lost the chance to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, they can still compete for glory by leveling the series in this final encounter in Sydney.
