Virat Kohli’s T20I average drops below 50

Virat Kohli with Rohit Sharma against Pakistan

Virat Kohli showed glimpses of his past self by slamming 35 tense runs in a high-voltage Asia Cup 2022 clash against Pakistan. His innings, tripled with Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya’s blitzkriegs guided India to an exhilarating five-wicket win in the final over of the run-chase.

The Dubai thriller also marked the 100th match of Kohli’s glittering T20I career, one that launched against Zimbabwe in Harare back in 2010.

The highs and lows from Virat Kohli’s 100th T20I

The former Indian skipper may have celebrated his landmark T20I game with a win against arch-rivals, but his batting numbers continue to take one hit after the other.

Kohli, who averaged 50.12 in T20Is prior to his match-up against Pakistan, has now had his average drop below 50 for the first time since 2018. The batting maverick now holds an average of 49.89 after featuring in 92 T20I innings across 100 matches.

Earlier this year, the cricketer also had his Test average drop below 50.

Kohli and Rohit

Notably, he held 50-plus averages in each of the three formats for a significant period and was the only cricketer to do so. His averages across all forms of international cricket now stands at:

49.53 (Tests), 57.68 (ODIs) and 49.89 (T20Is).

Virat Kohli, the road ahead

Kohli will now feature in India’s next Asia Cup game on August 31. The ‘Men in Blue’ will be facing Hong Kong in Dubai to cap their group stage campaign.

Meanwhile, the tournament itself serves as a testing ground for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia, where Kohli’s form will hold a vital key to India’s chances.

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