New Delhi: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir came out in defence of star batter Virat Kohli after his ordinary outing in the recently concluded Test series against Bangladesh. Gambhir backed Kohli to bounce back to form in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand at home and lauded the senior batter’s hunger to perform at the highest level.
Kohli made his comeback in the whites for India in the two-match series against Bangladesh last month. He featured in both Tests in Chennai and Kanpur and finished with 99 runs in 4 innings. Despite his low-key returns, Gambhir said he has no doubts about Kohli’s run-scoring form and is confident that the star batter will be among the runs soon.
“See, my thoughts about Virat have always been very clear. He is a world-class cricketer. He has performed for such a long time. He is as hungry as when he made his debut,” Gambhir said in the pre-match press conference ahead of the 1st Test between India and New Zealand that gets underway on October 16.
While lauding Kohli’s remarkable consistency and hunger to do well for India, Gambhir recalled his playing days and revealed how his opinion about the 35-year-old has not changed ever since he made his debut in 2008. Gambhir is hopeful that Kohli will get back among the runs against New Zealand and carry his form in the all-important Test series against Australia later this year.
“I remember opening the batting with him when he made his debut in Sri Lanka to now, his hunger is always there. That’s what makes him a world-class cricketer. I am sure he will be hungry to get runs in this series, and probably moving forward to Australia as well. Once he gets into the run-scoring form, how consistent he can be. He will be looking forward to these three Tests and the series in Australia,” added the India head coach.
Why Virat Kohli’s Test form is worrying for India?
Kohli has been far from his best in 2024 so far despite not having played regularly for India. He is yet to notch up a big knock for India in the whites this year and has failed to score a half-century in the three Test matches he has played in 2024. In three Tests this year, Kohli has notched up 157 runs at an average of over 31 with the highest score of 47.
Kohli will continue to bat at no.4 for India in the Test series against New Zealand and will be hoping to end his half-century drought this year. India are currently on the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table and will look to continue their home dominance against New Zealand to inch closer to confirming their spot in the WTC final.
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed Virat Kohli to bounce back to form in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Gambhir called Kohli a world-class player and said he always has the hunger to perform. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
