Virat Kohli’s recent struggles with form have raised concerns, but Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed full faith in the star batter. Despite Kohli’s lean run in Tests, Gambhir is confident that the hunger for runs that Kohli had at the beginning of his career still burns within him. He believes it’s unfair to judge a player after every match and emphasized that Kohli is more than capable of returning to top form, starting with the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.
Kohli’s Recent Test Struggles
Kohli has found it hard to score big runs in Tests recently, managing just one fifty in his last eight innings. His only significant knock came in December 2023, when he scored 76 against South Africa in Centurion. However, his performances in the two-Test series against Bangladesh were below expectations, with scores of 6 and 17 in Chennai and 47 and 29* in Kanpur.
Gambhir’s Support and Optimism
Addressing the media, Gambhir dismissed concerns over Kohli’s form, stating that Kohli remains a world-class cricketer. “His hunger for runs is still the same as it was when he started his career,” Gambhir said. “It’s not right to assess someone after every match. Players are bound to have ups and downs, but what matters is the consistency over the long term.”
Gambhir added that his role as a coach is to support players and select the best team rather than focus on individuals’ temporary form. He also expressed hope that Kohli would rediscover his rhythm in the three-match Test series against New Zealand, starting October 24.
Kohli’s Impressive Career Numbers
Despite recent setbacks, Kohli’s overall career remains remarkable. He has amassed 8,947 runs in 115 Test matches at an average of 48.89, with 29 centuries and 30 half-centuries to his name. In ODIs, Kohli has been even more dominant, scoring 13,906 runs in 295 matches, including 50 centuries and 72 fifties.
Kohli recently announced his retirement from T20 Internationals after India’s World Cup triumph earlier this year. He was instrumental in the final against South Africa, scoring 76 runs and earning the Player of the Match award. Kohli finished his T20 career with 4,188 runs in 125 matches, including one century and 38 fifties.
IPL Rivalry and Recent Controversies
While Gambhir and Kohli have had public disagreements in the past, particularly during IPL matches, the former cricketer emphasized that personal issues do not affect his professional judgment. Their most notable clash occurred in 2013 during a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). More recently, in 2023, another heated exchange took place when Gambhir, as the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants, had a confrontation with Kohli during an IPL match in Lucknow.
Despite these incidents, Gambhir now stands firmly by Kohli’s side, highlighting the importance of supporting players during difficult times.
Eyes on the New Zealand Test Series
With a packed schedule ahead, including eight consecutive Tests, Gambhir is optimistic that Kohli will bounce back. He believes that the upcoming series against New Zealand offers the perfect opportunity for Kohli to regain his confidence and rhythm before crucial fixtures in Australia.
“Failures are part of the game,” Gambhir said. “What matters is how we support our players through difficult times. We believe in Kohli’s abilities and are confident he will deliver when it matters most.”
Kohli’s return to form will be crucial not just for personal milestones but also for India’s chances in the upcoming series and beyond. Fans will be eager to see if the former captain can rediscover his best form and silence the critics.
