Indian cricket god Virat Kohli fighting for his career in his final tour of Australia

Virat Kohli had a moment of madness which shows his once laser focus has been shattered. The legend faces his greatest challenge this summer in Australia.

IF Virat Kohli was not Virat Kohli he would probably be gone by now.

If King Kohli’s last four years as a Test player were someone else’s, cricket’s brutal numbers game would surely have swallowed them up.

The harsh facts - Indian fans look away now - reveal in three of his last four years, batting great Kolhi has averaged 22, 26 and 28 each side of an excellent 2023, admittedly in an era where India’s “cooked up’’ wickets have become extremely hard to bat on.

In the just completed 3-0 drubbing by New Zealand he scored just 93 runs at 15, once bowled a full toss by slow left-armer Mitchell Santner and being run out attempting a suicide single in the last over of the day in the last Test.

From a man regarded as one of the sharpest thinkers in the game this was the brain-snap no-one expected, proving Kohli is at his worst when he is anguished and snatching at things.

Virat Kohli faces fight for his career.. Picture: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP

If Kohli’s numbers do not improve on the five Test tour of Australia, India will have to think about the unthinkable and ending his career just like they did with distinguished servants Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman after an Adelaide Test loss completed a 4-0 drubbing 13 years ago.

But here’s the catch. Kohli’s not Dravid or Laxman.

He floats above them as a member of India’s mega-exclusive untouchables – that tiny group including Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Sunil Gavaskar - who are so big they get to pick their own exit. Virat will go when Virat decides its time and not a moment before.

Most great batsmen stay too long in Test cricket, particularly in India where they become gods with cricket bats, but the public tide is turning.

Kohli and out of form captain Rohit Sharma have been savaged on social media which has grown many vicious blades since India’s previous lost home series 12 years ago.

Even by the kindest possible assessment, Kohli’s career is going, going but we cannot say gone because of one deliciously enticing reason.

New Zealand got the better of Kohli and Team India. Picture: Punit PARANJPE / AFP

Australia has always been his smelling salts. From the time he first visited here as an anonymous 18 year old, playing in Australian has always brought out something special in Kohli who has an extraordinary record of six centuries in 13 Tests on four tours here.

With most out-of-form Test batsman the thought of fixing their problems in Australia in a five Test series is as appealing as a cyclist having to climb the French Alps with a punctured tyre.

But for Kohli – and Kohli alone - it is the opposite. Australia has seen him grow from a chubby boy to man and then an idol. Where many find hostility in Australia, Kohli finds serenity.

Kohli finished his indifferent first tour of Australia 14 years ago as a perky 22-year-old with a century in Adelaide. Then came the majestic high point of his career with four centuries in four Tests in 2014, a patient century in Perth four years later before being run out for 74 in his sole Test in 2020.

Will Kohli return to form this Summer in Australia? Picture: Punit PARANJPE / AFP

Steve O’Keefe first met Kohli 16 years ago on his first Australian visit when he was part of an emerging players squad sent to train at the Australian Cricket Academy in Brisbane.

He can sniff a revitalised Kohli this summer.

“Virat is in an absolute slump,’’ O’Keefe conceded. “They have been through a lot over the last 12 months and they have an older group who would and – I hate using the word is that they looked tired.

“But I wouldn’t underestimate Kohli. Australia rejuvenates him. He goes up a gear here. He has been doing it since the under-19s when it was on for young and old when India played Australia. This attitude of “you are done’’ will spur him. I just sense he will go well.’’

O’Keefe picked up Kohli from the airport during his stay in Brisbane as a teenager, helped him get half-priced Asics shoes, and watch him labour through a fitness test when he was not the cut specimen he is today.

“He was doing a running test and he stopped the running half way through and I thought “this guy’s not cut out for it’’ and he is now the fastest runner between wickets in the world.

“He just exploded. But when he first came over I watched him bat and thought “oh my god this guy is a freak’’ his hands were so fast. I remember we got him half-priced Asics shoes and years later he when he signed a $20 million deal with Adidas I said “any chance of returning the favour?’’ He said he would look into it.’’

Praise from one of India's greatest as New Zealand make history in Mumbai 🗣

More tributes 👉 https://t.co/0IbRVVsUpc#WTC25 | #INDvNZpic.twitter.com/G4LwBohF92

— ICC (@ICC) November 4, 2024

Like the rest of the cricket world, O’Keefe was in shock at New Zealand’s 3-0 victory over India and is still searching for the reasons why.

“I was really stunned by New Zealand’s win but it looked to me as if India knew they were playing five Tests in Australia, wanted a quick series so they produced turning decks and it backfired,’’ O’Keefe said.

How Australia responds to Kohli will be interesting but, as Nathan Lyon confirms, this much is certain – they won’t be poking the bear.

“I’ve got nothing but respect for Virat and I’ve tried to figure out different ways to having a bit of banter here and there, but I won’t be going in there and having a crack at him,’’ said Lyon. “I’ll give you that little tip. He is still arguably one of the best cricketers I’ve ever played against within my era. I’ve been lucky enough to play with and against some of the greats of the game and he’s definitely in that category. I’m looking forward to the challenge.’’

Originally published as Indian cricket god Virat Kohli fighting for his career in his final tour of Australia