"You won't be able to win the series without Virat Kohli scoring runs" - Aakash Chopra on Kohli failing again in BGT 2024-25 1st Test
Aakash Chopra has noted that Virat Kohli has endured a prolonged lean run in his last few Test innings. He added that the modern batting great needs to be among the runs for India to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Kohli was dismissed for a 12-ball five as India were bowled out for 150 in their first innings of the first Test against Australia in Perth on Friday, November 22. However, Jasprit Bumrah registered figures of 4/17 in 10 overs as the visitors reduced Australia to 67/7 in their first innings by close of play on Day 1.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener opined that Kohli needs to return to run-scoring ways for the visitors to harbor hopes of winning the series.
"He has lost form. It's happened for the first time in seven years that he has scored less than 20 in five consecutive Test innings. The last time it happened was in 2017. This has been a very different story. Form has unfriended him at the moment," he said (4:50).
"Again, what do we say about geniuses and Virat is a genius - if not now, it will come, and he will figure out a way. We want Virat's run-machine avatar to be here because you have gone slightly ahead in this match because of Jasprit Bumrah, and you might win this match as well, but you won't be able to win the series without Virat Kohli scoring runs," Chopra added.
Kohli has aggregated a paltry 28 runs in his last five Test innings. A 17-run knock in the second innings of the Pune Test against New Zealand is the only time he has reached double digits in this period.
"He is looking slightly vulnerable" - Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli
![Virat Kohli was caught at first slip off Josh Hazlewood's bowling. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/567f0-17322805713655-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Virat Kohli seemed fidgety in the middle.
"Kind of disappointing the way he is playing as well, and for the first time, it seems like he is slightly fidgety at the crease. He is looking slightly vulnerable. When a player of Virat's quality, like say Sir Vivian Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid or Brian Lara, comes to the ground, there is an aura of invincibility," he said.
The reputed commentator added that the former India captain no longer seems to have the aura of invincibility he had in the past.
"The opposing team feels that they need to get him out at the start for 10-15 runs, or else he would hit so much that they won't be able to get him out at all. Kohli has enjoyed this for a very long time but, unfortunately, that aura is not being seen currently. The numbers are also suggesting the same thing," Chopra observed.
Kohli has scored 255 runs at an underwhelming average of 21.25 in 13 Test innings in 2024. A 70-run knock in India's second innings of the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand has been his only half-century this year.