Gautam Gambhir backs Virat Kohli, shuts the critics

Virat Kohli Gains Strong Support from Gautam Gambhir, Silencing Detractors

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Omkar Devadkar

Last Updated: October 15, 2024

Summary: Gautam Gambhir shuts down the critics slamming Virat Kohli for poor performances in the Bangladesh series.

Since his poor performances in the most recent Bangladesh Tests, Virat Kohli has been under scrutiny. Kohli has only played in three Test matches in 2024 and has yet to score fifty or more. In four innings during the Bangladesh series, Kohli scored 6, 17, 47, and 29*.

The last time Kohli scored fifty-plus runs in a Test match was in December 2023, when he played South Africa at Centurion. His form will be vital for India in their upcoming test series against New Zealand and their next trip to Australia next month.

In the upcoming Test match in New Zealand, India's former captain will try to return to his old form. Head coach Gautam Gambhir supported Kohli and made a bold prediction while speaking during a press conference.

He said, “My thoughts about Virat have always been very clear: that he is a world-class cricketer; he has performed for such a long period of time. He is as hungry as when he made his debut. I remember opening the batting with him when he made his debut in Sri Lanka; to now his hunger is always there and is already there. That is what makes him a world-class cricketer, and I am sure that he will be hungry to get runs in the series and moving forward to Australia as well.”

He also added, "We know that once he gets into that run-scoring, how consistent can he be. So I am sure he will be looking for these three Test matches and the series in Australia."

With three tons and as many half-centuries, Kohli scored 866 runs from 11 Test matches against New Zealand at 45.57. He is getting close to hitting 9,000 runs in the format, making him the fourth Indian batsman to do so in Test cricket.

In his six Test matches against New Zealand at home, he scored 557 runs at an average of 55.70, with two hundred and many fifties. The others ahead of him are Rahul Dravid (1659), Sachin Tendulkar (1595), Virender Sehwag (883), and Cheteshwar Pujara (867).