Virat Kohli, the enigmatic Indian batter, has arrived in Australia for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite his recent form struggles, the Australian media has accorded him a grand reception, recognizing his enduring status as a cricketing icon.
Various Australian newspapers, including The West Australian and Sydney Morning Herald, have prominently featured Kohli on their front pages. However, their coverage has been a curious blend of admiration and scrutiny. While acknowledging Kohli’s past brilliance, they have also highlighted his recent performance dip.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s front-page image of Kohli, captioned “A Heavy Crown,” captures the duality of his current situation. The publication notes that Kohli’s form has waned in recent years, particularly in Test cricket. Since 2020, he has averaged a modest 31.68, a far cry from his peak years between 2016 and 2019, when he averaged an astonishing 66.79.
Kohli’s struggles were evident in India’s recent home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, where he managed only 192 runs in 10 innings. This poor performance saw him drop out of the ICC Men’s Test batting rankings Top 20 for the first time in a decade.
Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains a formidable force in Test cricket. His career average of 47.83 is a testament to his exceptional talent. Moreover, he has a remarkable record against Australia on their home turf, averaging 54.08 in 13 matches.
The Australian media’s intense focus on Kohli is a reflection of his enduring popularity and the high stakes of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli will be eager to prove that he is still a world-class batter, while Australia will be determined to exploit his recent vulnerabilities. The series promises to be a fascinating contest between one of the greatest batters of all time and a formidable Australian team.
