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Kohli’s Struggles with Form
Indian batting star Virat Kohli has been struggling with his form over the past few series. Excluding a single century during the Australian tour, his bat largely remained silent. Across the five-Test series, Kohli scored just 190 runs at an average of 23.75, leading to growing doubts about his position in the Indian Test squad.
Amid the criticisms, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has proposed a solution. According to Manjrekar, Kohli should participate in the English County Championship to get the much-needed match practice and regain his touch before India’s high-stakes Test series against England in June-July.
Manjrekar’s Recommendation
Speaking on Star Sports’ Deep Point podcast, Manjrekar emphasized the importance of red-ball cricket for Kohli’s comeback.
“Kohli needs to play a significant amount of red-ball cricket to rediscover his form. The first Test in England begins in June, while the County Championship starts in April. He can join a County team like Cheteshwar Pujara has done in the past and gain vital match practice,” Manjrekar suggested.
He added that such preparation would allow Kohli to perform confidently in the challenging English conditions.
Kohli’s Performance in 2024
Analyzing Kohli’s statistics from the previous year, his struggles are evident across formats. In 32 innings, Kohli managed just 655 runs at an average of 21.83, including one century and two half-centuries.
In Tests, Kohli played 10 matches and scored 417 runs in 19 innings at an average of 24.52. His only Test century in 2024 came with a highest score of 100 not out, accompanied by one fifty.
A Thoughtful Strategy for Kohli
Manjrekar further elaborated on his advice, stating,
“India can assess Kohli’s performance in the initial Test matches to determine his role in the team. If we see improvement, he can continue to be a part of the side. However, what we don’t want is for Kohli to struggle in England like he has done before. That’s not beneficial for Indian cricket. Playing County cricket would be a smart and practical move for him.”
