The veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli has become a global icon over the years and has proved himself as one of the biggest brands of the game around the world.
Being a successful player on Australian soil, he has been the promotional banner for the high-profile Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Recently, an incident has been an example which could be seen in a recent video on social media in which the MRF Genius Grand King bat, which Kohli uses has been sold for over INR 1.65 lakhs.
Just to compare, a expensive ticket of the British rock band Coldplay’s planned concert in Ahmedadbad costs INR 35,000. Australian podcaster and YouTuber Norman Kochanek said in his video that bat is available for sale at Greg Chappell Cricket Centre outlet and costs 2985 AUD.
The bat also has Kohli’s signature on its sticker. Australia has been happy for Kohli but the star batter has been woefully out of touch in Test Cricket.
Virat Kohli has been consistently averaged above 55 in tests during the years 2016 and 2019. In fact, he averaged more that 75 in 2016 and 2017 and an average of 68.00 in 2019.
Kohli averaged 19.33 in 2020, 28.21 in 2021, 26.50 in 2022, 55.91 last year and 22.72 thus far this year. He has scored just two centuries in the last five years.
Virat Kohli’s performances in recent days has been irrelevant to his best form between the years 2016-19 when he was unstoppable and maintained an average of 55 in tests.
In the ongoing WTC 2023-25 cycle, Virat Kohli has amassed 561 runs in nine tests at an average of 37.40 in 16 innings.
In the year 2024, Virat Kohli scored just 250 runsin 12 test innings across six matches he played with an average of 22.72.
With the series is set to kick off this week, all are eyeing on the star to silence the critics. The five-match test series will kickstart on November 22 while the second test will be played on a day-night format under the stadium lights starting on December 06.
The third test will be played in the Gabba which will be held between December 14-18. The fourth test will be played between December 26-30 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The fifth and final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7 will give a promising dramatic conclusion for the exciting contest.