Why Is IND vs BAN Series Crucial For Virat Kohli's Test Future?

Virat Kohli will hope to rediscover his old form in Test cricket (X)Virat Kohli will hope to rediscover his old form in Test cricket (X)

Few players have had the limelight as intensely focused on them as Indian stalwart Virat Kohli. A decade and a half of unparalleled intensity, a lionhearted approach, and a hunger for runs have made him the heartbeat of Indian cricket.

Yet, as 2024 progresses, ‘King Kohli’ has found himself in uncharted waters. His lean run of form in international cricket, particularly in Tests, has raised questions that were once unimaginable.

Heading into the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, Kohli finds himself at a crossroads, and what unfolds on the turning tracks of Chennai and Kanpur could well determine the trajectory of the final leg of his Test career.

Kohli’s Last Stand or a New Beginning?

As Kohli edges closer to his 36th birthday, time, once his ally, is now slipping through his fingers like sand. The Bangladesh series comes at a critical juncture—not just for India’s campaign in the ICC World Test Championship, but for Kohli personally.

It’s no secret that 2024 has been one of the leanest years of his career, with only one half-century in 15 innings across formats. His heroic 76 in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa, which earned him the Player-of-the-Match accolade, was a flicker of brilliance in an otherwise dim year.

But Test cricket has been his true calling, the format that has defined him, and now, more than ever, he needs to remind the world—and perhaps himself—of the man who once ruled the sport.

The Bangladesh series, seemingly innocuous against a less-fancied opposition, carries immense weight. On the face of it, a two-Test series against a mid-ranked side might not seem consequential, but the stakes couldn’t be higher for Kohli.

In his last Test series against South Africa, he managed decent returns of 172 runs in four innings, but those scores of 76, 38, 12, and 46 were on sub-par pitches that masked the lack of a three-figure score. Against Bangladesh, the hunger for a Test hundred will not just be a desire, but an urgent need.

Root’s Renaissance, Kohli’s Reality

As Joe Root thrives in the Test arena, having rediscovered his golden touch after being stripped of England’s captaincy, Virat Kohli’s form has taken the opposite trajectory. The Fab Four of world cricket—Kohli, Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson—has now shrunk to a Terrific Two, with Root and Williamson standing tall.

Kohli, once a prolific run-machine, has found himself sidelined from this elite group. The Bangladesh series is his chance to reassert his presence. He would be well aware of the talk surrounding his form, and as any proud competitor would, he’ll be looking to silence his critics, starting with Bangladesh.

The Clock is Ticking: Kohli vs Time

At 35, Kohli remains one of the fittest athletes in the game, but even he must acknowledge that his Test career is entering its final phase.

The Bangladesh series is crucial preparation for the challenges ahead—a high-octane series against New Zealand at home and the much-anticipated tour to Australia, where Kohli has a remarkable record.

With only one Test appearance in Australia in the last five years, these upcoming matches hold significant importance in his Test future.

The Spin Conundrum and Kohli’s Next Challenge

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Bangladesh series is the expected dominance of spin on the subcontinent tracks. Kohli, who has historically excelled against pace, has found himself caught in the web of spin, particularly in the ODI series against Sri Lanka earlier this year.

The diabolical pitches in Colombo exposed his vulnerability to spin, and the upcoming series against Bangladesh is unlikely to be any different. Kohli must not only counter Bangladesh’s spinners but also prove that he still has the technique and temperament to succeed on challenging tracks.

This series will be a litmus test for Kohli. If he can thrive on the spin-friendly pitches of Chennai and Kanpur, it will serve as the perfect appetizer for the main course in Australia, where he has always relished the challenge of facing world-class pace attacks.

A Final Flourish or Fading Light?

To write off Virat Kohli would be foolish, as history has repeatedly shown that the greats of the game have an uncanny ability to bounce back when their backs are against the wall.

The Bangladesh series, though not a marquee contest, might just provide Kohli the launchpad to reignite his Test career. As he prepares to take the field, the stakes are clear: it’s not just about runs or records, it’s about proving to himself and the cricketing world that his fire is still burning bright.