India’s star batter Virat Kohli’s lean patch continued in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, where he struggled to make an impact in both innings. Kohli managed scores of just 6 and 17, with his dismissals reflecting the ongoing dip in form.
In the first innings, Kohli chased a wide delivery from Hasan Mahmud, edging it to the slips. In the second innings, he was adjudged leg-before-wicket, opting not to review the decision, only for UltraEdge to later reveal that the ball had clipped his bat, which would have saved him had he gone for the DRS.
Kohli’s form in 2023 has been underwhelming across formats. In 15 matches and 17 innings this year, he has accumulated just 319 runs at a below-par average of 18.76, with only one half-century. His highest score of 76 came during the T20 World Cup final against South Africa.
In Test cricket, Kohli’s numbers have dipped to an eight-year low. Across 114 matches and 193 innings, he has amassed 8,871 runs at an average of 48.74, including 29 centuries and 30 half-centuries. This marks the lowest his Test average has been since November 2016, when it stood at 48.28.
Kohli’s form in Test matches during the 2020s has been particularly concerning. Since the start of 2020, he has played 30 Tests, scoring 1,669 runs at an average of just 32.72. His contributions include only two centuries and eight half-centuries in 52 innings, with a top score of 186.
In the ongoing 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship cycle, Kohli has shown glimpses of his former self, scoring 392 runs in five Tests at an average of 49.00, including a century and two half-centuries. India will be banking on Kohli’s resurgence in the crucial upcoming series against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia, as they push for a third consecutive appearance in the WTC final, having fallen short in the previous two.
As for the ongoing Test, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field first. India’s top-order faltered, slumping to 34/3 before Yashasvi Jaiswal (56) and Rishabh Pant (39) steadied the ship with a 62-run stand. However, it was the lower-order brilliance of Ravichandran Ashwin (113) and Ravindra Jadeja (86*) that propelled India to 376 in their first innings, thanks to a match-defining 199-run partnership.
Hasan Mahmud was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, claiming 5/83, including key wickets of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Kohli. Taskin Ahmed chipped in with 3/55.
In response, Bangladesh’s batting crumbled under pressure. Contributions from Shakib Al Hasan (32), Litton Das (22), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (27*) were not enough as Jasprit Bumrah (4/50) and Akash Deep (2/19) dismantled their lineup, leaving them in a precarious position.
At the close of day three, India stood at 81/3 in their second innings, with Shubman Gill unbeaten on 33 and Pant on 12. India’s lead has stretched to 308, putting them in the driver’s seat heading into the final two days.
