Former cricketer Aakash Chopra feels Virat Kohli’s overseas century drought in Test cricket might come to an end in the Test series against West Indies. Team India is all set to play two test matches starting from July 12 at Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica. This series will kick off India’s campaign in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle.
The West Indies will also be an opportunity for Virat Kohli to end his overseas Test century drought. The veteran batter last scored an overseas Test hundred against Australia in Perth in December 2018. Since then, he has missed out on the three-figure mark in overseas Test matches for five years. In a video shared on Youtube by Aakash Chopra, the former cricketer spoke about Virat Kohli’s performance.
“It is a very interesting thing that Virat Kohli has not scored an overseas Test century for five years – the last time it came was in 2018 after that an overseas Test century hasn’t come. So that wait might end in this series,” said Aakash Chopra.
Virat Kohli has a great record in Test cricket. However, his performance in West Indies is slightly below his standards. In nine matches, he has scored 463 runs at an average of 35.61, including a century and a couple of fifties.
“If you see otherwise, his numbers are good against all teams, but the West Indies and England are the two teams and places where his numbers are slightly lower based on his standards, they are very good based on other people’s standards. So the focus will be on Virat Kohli,” added Aakash Chopra.
Does that mean his place is secured? – Aakash Chopra on Ajinkya Rahane being appointed the vice-captain
Aakash Chopra also spoke about Ajinkya Rahane’s appointment as the vice-captain of the Test team for the West Indies series. The veteran batter made his comeback to the Test team in the World Test Championship final. Chopra questioned if Rahane’s place in the team is secured, as he is named the vice-captain, just after his comeback Test. He said,
“Ajinkya Rahane – it is an intriguing story. He was out of the team for 18 months and suddenly you do well in the World Test Championship final. And now you become the vice-captain of the side. But does that mean his place is secured?”
“No, he was the vice-captain once earlier as well when Kohli was the captain. It was in South Africa and he was dropped in the first Test. So I don’t think his place is cemented. I feel he will have to score runs. He will be able to save his place if he scores runs or else the vice-captaincy tag will not be of much use,” he added.
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