Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has predicted that Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli will return to form with “big centuries” in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Kohli, who missed the home Test series against England due to the birth of his son, will be eager to rediscover his prolific run-scoring form.
Ali believes that Kohli will make a significant impact in the upcoming Tests, stating, “In the England series, Virat wasn’t there. He didn’t perform well in the Sri Lanka series. But in the Bangladesh and the New Zealand series, you will see big centuries (from Virat). Not 110 or 115, you may see a 200-run knock from him.”
Kohli’s recent performances have been underwhelming, with a disappointing T20 World Cup and a poor showing in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, Ali is confident that the Indian batter will bounce back and regain his dominance in the Test format.
India’s Test squad for the Bangladesh series features a formidable batting lineup, including skipper Rohit Sharma, young openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, and the experienced KL Rahul. The spin quartet of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav will provide balance to the team.
Ali has named his preferred playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh, opting for Kuldeep over Axar due to the presence of several left-handed batters in the opposition lineup. His team includes Rohit, Jaiswal, Gill, Kohli, Rahul, Pant, Jadeja, Ashwin, Kuldeep, Bumrah, and Siraj.
With the Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand on the horizon, fans will be eagerly anticipating Kohli’s return to form. If Ali’s predictions hold true, the Indian batter could be set for a prolific run-scoring spree that will delight cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
