Virat Kohli's 2024 first innings average falls behind Jasprit Bumrah and Shoaib Bashir

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Kohli's performance in Test cricket has been lackluster in recent months, with his struggles continuing during the first innings at the MCG. He now finds himself among a group of players with the lowest batting averages since the beginning of 2024, highlighting a concerning trend in his recent form.

Since missing the entirety of the series against England at the start of the year, the matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia towards the close of 2024 have seen Kohli only score 35 runs in 5 innings when coming out to bat in the first innings of a Test match. Amongst those with 5 or more innings batted, Kohli is better off only than Keshav Maharaj in that aspect of Test cricket this year.

Lowest batting average in first innings since 2024 (min. 5 innings)

Keshav Mahraj: 5.33

Virat Kohli: 7.00

Shoaib Bashir: 8.33

Jasprit Bumrah: 10.00

The only other batter close to Kohli is Kiwi wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell, who averages 12.33, while the closest specialist batter is Aiden Markram who has 14.50 opening the batting.

Kohli’s struggles were exacerbated by the fact that Jasprit Bumrah, who outscored Kohli with a hit-out 22 late in the innings to add some bonus runs, and now has 70 runs in seven innings to elevate his average past Kohli’s under these parameters.

With only 84 runs in seven innings this series, discounting his unbeaten century in Perth, Kohli has cut an image of frustration in recent matches as his struggles outside the off stump continue. The Indian batter edged the first delivery he faced in Sydney, with Steven Smith nearly helping take a spectacular catch. However, Kohli faced a reprieve as the TV umpire judged Smith to have grounded the ball.

India were bundled out for 185, with Rishabh Pant top-scoring in the innings with 40. However, there will be reasons for optimism in the India camp, with the new ball doing plenty and there seeming to be more than enough demons in the pitch. Bumrah and co. will want to use the same template as their win in Perth earlier in this series.

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