When India take part in the ODI series in Pal on Wednesday, it will be the first time in seven years that Virat Kohli will appear in an Indian team as a player rather than captain. But the focus will still be on Kohli, not just how he fits into his new role, but how reducing the burden will affect his batting numbers.
Apart from the 71st international century he has eluded since November 2019, Kohli has also seen a notable drop in his numbers in the Test cricket. He has averaged just 28.14 points over the past 15 Tests, six and a half of them. However, Kohli remains equally as menacing in the ODIs over the same period, scoring 649 times in his last 15 games with an average of 43.36 and a strike rate of 92.45, including 50.
Expectations will only be higher when batsman Kohli walks the crease in South Africa’s three-game ODI series from January 19, not that it hasn’t been lowered throughout his career. With the captain’s burden off his shoulders now, fans can only hope to see the old, strong and in-form Kohli back in action.
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
