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ancient India tot-terrons turned commentator Irfan Pathan questioned Virat Kohlithe position of the Indian Test team after their prolonged poor form. Kohli, once considered a linchpin in India’s batting line-up, has endured one of the worst phases of his career, especially in the 2024-25 season. Pathan’s criticism has focused on Kohli’s dwindling numbers and the need for the Indian team to take a long-term approach by grooming a youngster in his place.
Irfan Pathan highlights Virat Kohli’s fightback
In the recent it concluded a disastrous five-match Test series against AustraliaKohli managed to score just 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75, with a solitary century in Perth the only standout. His struggles, especially with off-stump deliveries, have become a recurring problem.
Pathan, while speaking to Star Sports, pointed to Kohli’s first innings average of just 15.63 in 2024 and his overall decline since 2020. He further added that a youngster with consistent opportunities could easily between 25 and 30, and emphasized that the interests of the team should prevail over the stature of an individual.
“In 2024, in the first innings where the match is set up, Virat Kohli averages only 15. If we take out his numbers from the last five years, he is not even 30. Is this what the Indian team deserves from their senior player? Instead of him, you give regular opportunities to a youngster, you give him time to prepare, even he can average 25-30. Because here we’re talking about the team, not individuals.” Pathan said.
“India needs team culture, not superstar culture”: Pathan
Pathan also criticized Kohli’s lack of involvement in domestic cricket, comparing it to the commitment shown by legends like Sachin Tendulkarwho played national matches even towards the end of his career.
“India doesn’t need superstar culture, it needs team culture. Tell me the last time Virat Kohli played domestic cricket when he was free? When was the last time it happened? It’s been almost a decade. Since then even the legendary Sachin Tendulkar has played it and retired altogether. He was not supposed to play, but even he came to play.” Pathan concluded.
Time to change the focus! 🌟 #IrfanPathan calls for an end to superstar culture, emphasizing the importance of building a strong first-team mentality in Indian cricket 💬🇮🇳#AUSvINDOnStar #ToughestRivalry #WTC #WorldTestChampionship pic.twitter.com/YQ6TKJUXe4
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 5, 2025
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Kohli’s declining form raises serious questions
Since 2020, Kohli has scored 2028 runs in 39 matches at an average of 30.72, managing just three centuries and nine fifties. His struggles have become more evident since 2024, amassing 440 runs in 11 matches at a significantly lower average of 23.15, with a century and a half to his name.
Kohli’s Test batting average, once among the best in the world at 54.97 in 2019, has now dropped to 46.85. His prolonged poor form has pushed his place in the team under the microscope. With consistent failures in the early stages of the innings and his inability to convert starts into substantial scores, doubts have been raised as to whether Kohli can still deliver at the highest level.
The upcoming tour of England could prove to be a defining moment in Kohli’s Test career. With competition from younger players like Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan i Yashasvi Jaiswal growing stronger, the Indian team management is faced with a critical decision: continue to support Kohli or switch to a younger, fresher line-up.
