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Former India all-rounder-turned-commentator Irfan Pathan questioned Virat Kohli‘s position in the Indian Test team following his prolonged poor form. Kohli, once considered a linchpin of India’s batting lineup, has been enduring one of the worst phases of his career, especially in the 2024-25 season. Pathan’s criticism has centered on Kohli’s declining numbers and the need for the Indian team to adopt a long-term approach by grooming a youngster in his place.
Irfan Pathan highlights Virat Kohli’s struggle
In the recently concluded disastrous five-match Test series against Australia, Kohli managed to score just 190 runs across nine innings at an average of 23.75, with a solitary century in Perth being the only highlight. His struggles, particularly with deliveries pitched outside the off stump, have become a recurring issue.
Pathan, while speaking on Star Sports, pointed out Kohli’s first-innings average of just 15.63 in 2024 and his overall decline since 2020. He further added that a youngster given consistent opportunities could easily average between 25-30, emphasizing that the team’s interests should take precedence over an individual’s stature.
“In 2024, in the first innings where the game is set up, Virat Kohli averages just 15. If we take out his numbers in the last five years, he doesn’t even average 30. Is this what the Indian team deserves from his senior player? Instead of him, you give regular chances to a youngster, give him time to get prepared, even he can average 25-30. Because we are discussing about the team here not the individuals,” Pathan said.
“India needs team culture, not superstar culture”: Pathan
Pathan also criticized Kohli’s lack of participation in domestic cricket, comparing it to the commitment shown by legends like Sachin Tendulkar, who played domestic matches even towards the end of his career.
“India don’t need superstar culture, they need team culture. Tell me the last time when Virat Kohli played domestic cricket when he was free? When was the last time it happened? It has almost been a decade. Since then even the legendary Sachin Tendulkar played it and has retired altogether. He didn’t have to play, but even he came to play,” Pathan concluded.
Time to shift the spotlight! 🌟 #IrfanPathan calls for an end to the superstar culture, emphasizing the importance of building a strong team-first 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 poses serious questions
Since 2020, Kohli has scored 2028 runs from 39 matches at an average of 30.72, managing just three centuries and nine fifties. His struggles have become more apparent since 2024, accumulating 440 runs from 11 matches at a significantly lower average of 23.15, with one century and one half-century 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 thrust his place in the team under the microscope. With consistent failures in the opening phases of innings and his inability to convert starts into substantial scores, doubts have emerged over whether Kohli can still deliver at the highest level.
The upcoming tour of England could prove to be a decisive moment in Kohli’s Test career. With competition from younger players like Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan and Yashasvi Jaiswal growing stronger, the Indian team management faces a critical decision: continue backing Kohli or shift towards a younger, fresher lineup.
