Star Team India batter Virat Kohli has faced a challenging run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Despite being renowned for excelling in Australian conditions, the former World No.1 batter has yet to find his rhythm on this tour.
The 36-year-old has scored 248 runs in three Tests at the SCG, averaging just under 50, with a notable century included. Kohli’s debut appearance in Sydney came during India’s 2011-12 tour of Australia. As a young player at the time, he had an unremarkable performance, scoring 23 and nine in two innings.
In the first innings, the right-hander was dismissed after edging a delivery outside off stump from Peter Siddle. In the second innings, he was unlucky to be given out LBW, as the ball kept low after hitting a crack, striking his pads in front of the wicket.
The visiting team lost by an innings and 68 runs to a dominant Australian side. Kohli’s best Australian tour came in 2014-15, with four centuries and one fifty in eight innings, totaling 692 runs at an average of 86.50. He began with twin centuries in Adelaide, struggled at the Gabba, then scored 169 in Melbourne and 147 in Sydney.
Australia declared at 572/7 at the SCG, and India responded with centuries from KL Rahul and Kohli. Kohli’s 147 off 230 balls, featuring 20 boundaries, was a stellar effort, but he fell short of 150. He later scored 46 in the second innings, with the match ending in a draw.
Kohli’s last SCG innings was forgettable, as he was dismissed for 23, edging a Josh Hazlewood delivery to wicketkeeper Tim Paine. India scored 600 runs, with centuries from Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara. The match ended in a draw, and India won the Brisbane Test to secure the series 2-1.
What has been Virat Kohli’s performance in the BGT 2024-25?
The former India captain had a modest start to the tour in Perth, edging a Jos Hazlewood delivery to Usman Khawaja after scoring just five runs. However, he made a strong comeback with an unbeaten century in the second innings, helping India secure a 295-run victory to kick off the series.
Kohli’s form declined after his strong start. He scored 7 and 11 in Adelaide and just 3 at the Gabba. In Perth, he made 36 in the first innings but was dismissed after a lapse in concentration, edging a delivery to Alex Carey. His second innings saw only 5 runs, as India lost by 184 runs and trailed 1-2 in the series.
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