Will Virat Kohli return to domestic cricket ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy? Check details

Virat Kohli has been struggling to find his form in Test cricket for an extended period. His last Test century dates back to 2023, and over the past five years, he has managed to score only two centuries. The recent loss of India’s first-ever Test series at home to New Zealand has intensified scrutiny on the 35-year-old’s performances. Kohli's difficulties against spin bowling have been particularly glaring during this series. In the first Test held in Bengaluru, he fell to off-spinner Glenn Phillips, marking a disappointing end to his innings. This trend continued in the India vs New Zealand second Test in Pune, where he succumbed to left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner in both innings.

Such repeated failures against spin raise concerns about Kohli's ability to adapt and overcome challenges, especially as he faces some of the best bowlers in the world. His recent struggles have not only impacted his individual performance but also contributed to India's overall decline, as the team relied heavily on his batting prowess in challenging situations.

Returning to domestic cricket will change Virat Kohli's fortunes ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy?

Former India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik has pointed out that Virat Kohli's dismissals to spin bowlers have become a concerning trend. Karthik emphasized that this pattern is not just a one-off occurrence but rather a consistent issue that Kohli needs to address. The renowned batter’s struggles against spin have been particularly evident in recent matches, raising questions about his technique and approach.

Karthik suggested that Kohli must focus on refining his game when facing spinners, as this is a critical aspect of modern Test cricket. The ability to adapt to different bowling styles is vital, especially when the competition includes some of the world’s best bowlers.

"Virat Kohli has not had it easy, the series has not been good to him, three out of four innings, he has disappointed. It's obviously a recurring partner where spinners have troubled him, and I think he will go and figure out what he needs to do to come out stronger. He is a man, who is searching for answers. When you reach that level of genius and super stardom, you will be thrown challenges and here is another challenge. India likes to play on pitches that aids spin, what is his gameplan?" said Dinesh Karthik in a recent interview. 

On the other hand, Dinesh Karthik also accepted the fact that returning to domestic cricket can turn the tables for Virat Kohli especially ahead of the challenging Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 to be hosted in Australia. Incidentally, the former India captain played his last Ranji Trophy match in 2012 for Delhi. The IND vs NZ 3rd Test match is scheduled to begin from 1st November, 2024 while the Australia vs India opening Test match will be beginning from 22 November, 2024 in Perth. Therefore, Kohli has enough time to play some amount of domestic cricket ahead of the India vs Australia five-match Test series. 

"We all know what he is capable [of], this series was not meant to be. Like the fans have been saying, he has not done it for a long time and that we cannot run away from. We don't want to sugarcoat it because we want to be as objective in assessing any player, any performance, at the moment Virat Kohli's Test record in the last 2-3 years, has not been great against spin. What we needs to do, is probably go back to domestic cricket and focus on what needs to be done with the current rules of DRS. There is no doubt the left-arm spinners pose a big threat," added Karthik. 

Virat Kohli's performance against New Zealand has been a topic of concern, as he has managed to accumulate only 88 runs across four innings in the ongoing series. In the first Test, he showed signs of a resurgence with a fluent 70 in the second innings, leading many to believe that he was regaining his form and confidence at the crease. This innings sparked hope among fans and critics alike that Kohli was ready to return to his dominant self.

However, the subsequent Test proved to be a setback for the seasoned batter. In the second Test, Kohli struggled significantly, managing just one run in the first innings and a mere 17 in the second. These disappointing figures have raised eyebrows and prompted discussions about his current form and ability to handle pressure. His inconsistency has become increasingly apparent, especially against the New Zealand bowlers, who have effectively exploited his vulnerabilities. As a player who has set high standards throughout his career, Kohli’s recent performances are seen as uncharacteristic. This has led to questions about his technique and mindset, with fans and analysts hoping he can turn things around in the remaining Test matches especially with India's spot at stake in the World Test Championship final 2025.