Kohli Ramps Up Practice After Warm-Up Struggles
Virat Kohli has acted quickly to fix his batting issues. He went to the nets after a poor showing in the warm-up game against Australia. In the first innings, Mukesh Kumar dismissed Kohli with an off-stump delivery. This raised concerns about his readiness for the Perth Test. Kohli saw the need for changes. So, he worked on his technique to prepare for the high-stakes series.
India’s Test Series Stakes: World Test Championship Final on the Line
India’s five-Test series in Australia is crucial for its WTC 2024 chances. To qualify for their third consecutive WTC final, India must win the series with a 4-0 sweep. This tough task increases pressure on Kohli. He has been key to India’s success abroad. A strong series from him could tip the scales in India’s favor as it aims to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Kohli’s Recent Struggles with the Red Ball
Kohli’s Test cricket form is a concern. The 36-year-old made only 93 runs in six innings in India’s recent series against New Zealand. His inconsistency has raised questions. He has only three Test centuries in five years. This series against Australia is a chance for Kohli. He can re-establish his dominance in the format. India’s spot in the WTC final is at stake.
Impact of Limited Red-Ball Preparation
Kohli has prepared little for this season. He skipped the 2024 Duleep Trophy and other domestic red-ball matches. He also chose not to play five red-ball matches against England earlier this year. Some analysts believe this has hurt his rhythm in the longer format. Kohli’s recent performances have been poor, especially in key series. This is due to a lack of consistent exposure to high-intensity red-ball cricket.
Key Stats and Upcoming Challenges
- Recent Series Performance: 93 runs in six innings against New Zealand
- Test Hundreds Since 2018: 3
- 2024 Duleep Trophy: Opted out.
- Upcoming Series: Five-Test Series vs. Australia
Kohli’s form will be crucial as India faces a formidable Australian team on their home turf. The upcoming Perth Test will show if Kohli’s training has paid off. It will also test if India can stay
