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India's batting juggernaut Virat Kohli's rusty form in Tests has doubled up the noise around his retirement. Kohli's flop show with the bat has extended to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025. Meanwhile, former India cricketer Atul Wassan wants Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chalk out Virat Kohli's exit plan, given his lean patch. Kohli, alongside captain Rohit Sharma, has faced criticism for their batting blips in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Wassan stressed on the importance of a smooth transition for the team.
BCCI told to prepare Virat Kohli's exit plan
Kohli's poor form has seen him clocking just 167 runs in a span of seven innings. While he scored a century in the second innings of the Perth Test, his performances in the other innings have been underwhelming. Across six innings, Kohli has managed only 67 runs at a dismal average of 11.16, with a highest score of 36. He has failed to reach double figures on three occasions. Kohli is apparently grappled by the recurring issue of not resisting to play deliveries outside the off-stump. On the other hand, captain Rohit has scored just 31 runs across five innings.
Wassan said that Virat's form is now hurting the team and there is questioning to drop him.
"Virat has got runs, but he also knows what's happening. They are very sorted mentally. A player always thinks that 'my best is around the corner'. I'll do it just now.' It's such a long spell; it's hurting the team, and there is questioning, saying you should be dropped. A lynch mob comes after you," Wassan told ANI.
"They also know what is going on. I think an exit plan, like a succession policy, must be clear. It's not fair on the management, the team, and the cricketing structure, we don't know what's there in your mind," Wassan further stated.
Virat Kohli's dipping form sets up retirement talks
Prior to 2020, Kohli boasted a robust Test average of 54.97, placing him among a select group of players with an average exceeding 50 across all formats. However, since January 2020, his Test average has gone down to 31.32. During this period, Kohli has featured in 38 Tests, accumulating 2005 runs with only three centuries and nine half-centuries, a stark contrast to his previous prolific output. The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground further fueled criticism. Kohli was dismissed in both innings while chasing deliveries outside the off-stump, a recurring weakness that has plagued him in recent years. Despite these struggles, Kohli's career remains one of the most illustrious in cricketing history, adorned with 81 international centuries. But the continuous batting blips has certainly put his performance under scanner and has led to growing talks around his retirement from the longest format. The batting maestro will have another chance to redeem himself when India take on Australia in the fifth and final Test in Sydney which is slated to start from January 3.
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