WTC Final Live: Virat Kohli & Cheteshwar Pujara disappoint again, averaging less than 30 since Australia tour: Team India did start as favourites since the commencement of the World Test Championship but the likes of senior players Virat Kohli & Cheteshwar Pujara seemed to have slipped off the rails towards the business end of the prestigious ICC World Test Championship. Their lustre-void performances in the WTC final against New Zealand in Southampton have added to the debacle so much so, that the duo has now been averaging less than 30 since the Australia tour.
The duo’s seniority didn’t pay off in the ongoing ultimate WTC final, who remained underperformers in both the innings. While Kohli scored 44, 13 in the two innings, Pujara could merely muster 8, 15 runs with his bat.
WTC Final Live: Extended batting woes for Kohli
Unlike Cheteshwar Pujara, who at least shone brightly in Australia, Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s absence owing to paternity leave in Australia has left fans yearning for his good form. Even after his physical comeback, the comeback with the willow in Tests has been unsatisfactory. Despite having the home advantage, the right-handed batsman could only smash two half-centuries in the four-Test match series against England.
Virat Kohli performance since Australia tour:
- Total runs: 195
- No of innings: 8
- Average: 24.37
Needless to say, the drooping low average of 23.75 has invited criticisms for Virat Kohli. Besides, his long over-due century (No hundred for 488 days) might already be lingering on the retina of his memory.
WTC Final Live: Pujara’s batting eclipse
Last remembered for good reasons against Australia when he absorbed Pat Cummins nasty bouncers to stabilize Team India, Cheteshwar Pujara too, since then has been a near-to-flop show. The onus drops heavily on this senior player courtesy of the crucial number 3 position that he walks for Team India in the white jersey. Unfortunately, he aggregated just one half-century in the four-Test matches against England in India.
Cheteshwar Pujara’s performance since the Australia tour
- Total runs: 190
- No of innings: 8
- Average: 23.75
The two senior players will surely need to chisel hard and pepper their training sessions intensely ahead of India’s five-match Test series against England overseas. Enterprising innings from two for Team India is necessary to rust off their filthy mask and up their batting average.
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