'Virat Kohli will score runs in Tests only when...': West Indies legend offers much-needed advice to India's batting maestro ahead of Gabba Test

West Indies legend Andy Roberts has offered advice to India's batting ace Virat Kohli suggesting that he should prioritize the longer format of the game to improve his performance.

Sports Tak

• Tue • 10 Dec 2024

India's batting maestro Virat Kohli during India's training session

Highlights:

Virat Kohli miserable failed to click with the bat in India's 10-wicket defeat against Australia in Adelaide

Kohli managed to notch scores of 7 and 11 runs in first and second innings of 2nd Test

West Indies legendary cricketer Andy Roberts has offered advice to Virat Kohli, who has been struggling to regain his form in Test cricket over the past five years. Despite recently scoring a much-awaited 30th Test century in Perth, Kohli failed miserable to click with the bat in the second Test in Adelaide, where he scored 7 and 11 runs.

Andy Roberts has an advice for Virat Kohli

Roberts expressed his concern about Kohli's recent form and stressed on the need for the star batter to focus on the longer format of the game. He also acknowledged the changing nature of Test cricket and the challenges faced by batters in the modern era.

"I don’t know if there will be a revival after the Adelaide defeat, but get your batting right. One of your best batsmen of all-time has been struggling for the last five years. He needs to be focused on the longer version of the game. You will get runs and score heavily in Test cricket only when you are fully focused on the longer form. The standard of Test cricket is not the same. The top batsmen look as if they are struggling," Roberts told Mid-day.

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Virat Kohli's concerning form

Kohli struggled to maintain his previous level of performance in Test cricket since 2020. In a total of 36 matches and 64 innings, he has scored 1961 runs at an average of 32.14, with three centuries and nine fifties. He also failed to deliver in the Test series against New Zealand, where he scored only 93 runs in three matches, which only mounted pressure on him ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Both Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma have been under intense scrutiny due to their inconsistent performances in the ongoing Test season.

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Roberts not only talked about Kohli's batting but also expressed his surprise at India's decision to bat first in the pink-ball Test against Australia. The Indian team was bundled out for a meager 180 runs in their first innings. In response to their lowly total, Australia posted a total of 337 runs, taking a big lead of 157 runs. India's second innings was equally disappointing, as they were dismissed for 175 runs, setting Australia a mere 19-run target which was chased down without losing a single wicket.

“Why did you guys bat first [in Adelaide]. India’s fast bowlers bowled Australia out cheaply in both innings (104 and 238) at Perth. If my fast bowlers outbowl the opposition pacers in the previous Test, I’m not going to give the rivals the first preference in the next Test. Remember, you are not playing on Indian pitches,” Roberts concluded.