Virat Kohli has scored only two Test centuries since 2019 in Test cricket and has averaged around 30. For a player of Kohli's class, his periods of struggle for runs are a matter of great concern.
In the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, Kohli has not been able to make any significant impact except scoring 70 runs in the second innings of the first Test played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. To add to India's woes, they have also lost their first Test series at home since 2012.
Despite losing the series, India will have to ensure victory in the final Test to be played at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium from November 1. This Test will also be very important from the WTC point of view. One more defeat and India could be in trouble.
For India, it will be very important for Virat Kohli to score runs ahead of the much-anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli has a good record at the Wankhede and would want to replicate some of his brilliant performances of the past years.
In the match played between England and India, India managed to score a huge score of 631 runs in the first innings and got a huge lead of 231 runs. England made 400 runs in the first innings thanks to Keaton Jennings' debut Test century, but the Indian batsmen batted brilliantly to take the lead. Murali Vijay laid the foundation with a brilliant century.
Virat Kohli came in at number four when the score was 146/2. Kohli stood firm at the crease and was not troubled by any English bowler. His brilliant innings included 25 fours and a six. England were devastated by Ravi Ashwin's six in the second innings and India registered a big win by an innings and 36 runs.
Another crucial half-century Kohli scored at the Wankhede Stadium came against West Indies in Sachin Tendulkar's farewell Test in 2013. Pragyan Ojha's five-wicket haul helped India bowl out West Indies for 182 in the first innings. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma scored centuries to put India in a strong position. Virat Kohli also scored a brilliant half-century. The spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha devastated the West Indies batting line-up, taking nine wickets together to register a massive win by an innings and 126 runs.
It was one of the most thrilling Test matches but West Indies left no stone unturned to force a draw with India, as they fell just one run short of the target. West Indies posted a mammoth 590 in the first innings thanks to Darren Bravo's brilliant 166 and useful contributions from the top three batsmen.
Ravichandran Ashwin's century and Tendulkar's 94 runs, India fell behind West Indies by 108 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, Pragyan Ojha wreaked havoc and bowled out West Indies for just 134 runs. India had a target of 243 runs and they had to achieve it as soon as possible.
India were bundled out for 113/4 but youngster Virat Kohli brought the hosts closer to victory with a brilliant innings of 63 runs. He hit three fours and a six during his brilliant innings but it was not enough to guide his team to victory.
