Virat Kohli's much-anticipated return to Test cricket after an eight-month break ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for just six runs in the first innings against Bangladesh. The former India captain walked in after the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, with the team hoping for a solid performance from their star batter to stabilize the innings. Kohli, known for his ability to thrive under pressure, faced high expectations to counter the Bangladesh pacers and resurrect India’s innings.
However, the Bangladesh bowling attack, led by Hasan Mahmud, made the most of the pace-friendly conditions after winning the toss and opting to bowl first. On the second ball of the 10th over, Kohli edged a delivery from Mahmud into the hands of wicket-keeper Litton Das, reducing India to a precarious 34/3. It was Mahmud’s third wicket of the innings, capping off a brilliant spell for the young pacer.
This dismissal continues a challenging run for Kohli in Test cricket. In his last 20 Test innings, Kohli has registered only three fifty-plus scores and crossed the 30-run mark just eight times. His recent scores include: 6 vs BAN, 12 vs SA, 46 vs SA, 76 vs SA, 38 vs SA, 121 vs WI, 76 vs WI, 49 vs AUS, 14 vs AUS, 186 vs AUS, 13 vs AUS, 22 vs AUS, 20 vs AUS, 44 vs AUS, 12 vs AUS, 1 vs BAN, 24 vs BAN, 19* vs BAN, 1 vs BAN, and 20 vs ENG. Despite these struggles, Kohli still showed glimpses of his class, including a standout 186 against Australia earlier this year, but has struggled to find consistency.
Kohli's absence from Test cricket dates back to January when he missed five crucial matches against England to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. His return to red-ball cricket was expected to provide India with much-needed stability, especially as the team enters a demanding Test season with 10 matches scheduled over four months. Despite the importance of getting back into form, Kohli chose not to participate in the Duleep Trophy, which could have provided valuable match practice. Instead, he began training in Chennai just five days before the Bangladesh Test series.
Kohli’s struggles have not been limited to Test cricket. In the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, he managed only 58 runs across three matches at an average of 19.33. Following that series, Kohli flew to London, seeking time away before resuming his training for India’s next series. His early dismissal against Bangladesh has once again raised concerns about his form, particularly in the red-ball format, as India gears up for an intense Test season.
Despite his recent form, Kohli remains one of the most accomplished and celebrated players in world cricket. Known for his resilience, he will be determined to bounce back in the coming matches as India looks to solidify their standing in Test cricket.
