A light-hearted exchange between Virat Kohli and Shakib Al Hasan during the first Test between India and Bangladesh has gone viral on social media. On Day 2 of the match at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Kohli humorously sledged Shakib during his time at the crease.
As Shakib bowled a series of yorkers to Kohli, the Indian star cheekily criticized him, comparing his bowling to that of Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga. The stump mic picked up Kohli saying, “Malinga bana hua hai, yorker pe yorker de raha hai” (Acting like Malinga, bowling yorker after yorker). Malinga, renowned for his lethal yorkers, later responded to the clip with “Niyamai malli,” which translates to “Great, brother.”
Niyamai malli🤣🫶 https://t.co/heeEK48QRP
— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) September 21, 2024
Despite the amusing moment, Kohli’s form continued to be a concern. In the Chennai Test, he managed only 6 and 17 runs in the two innings. In the first innings, Kohli was dismissed by Hasan Mahmud after chasing a wide delivery. In the second innings, a poor LBW decision ended his stay at the crease, and he chose not to review it. Replays showed that the ball had hit his bat, which could have overturned the decision had he reviewed it.
Kohli’s Ongoing Struggles with Form
Kohli’s struggles in 2023 have been evident across all formats. In 17 innings this year, he has scored just 319 runs at a modest average of 18.76, with only one half-century—his highest score being 76 in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa. His Test average has now dropped to its lowest point in eight years, currently standing at 48.74.
In 114 Tests, Kohli has accumulated 8,871 runs with 29 centuries and 30 fifties, but his form in the 2020s has been a shadow of his previous dominance. Since the start of 2020, Kohli has played 30 Tests, scoring 1,669 runs at an average of 32.72, with just two centuries and eight fifties.
However, in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (2023-25), he has shown some improvement, scoring 392 runs in eight innings at an average of 49.00. With crucial matches ahead against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia, India will be hoping Kohli can regain his form to help secure their first WTC title.
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