Ex-Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan hit out at Virat Kohli over his flop show in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia. The retired cricketer criticised the star batter, claiming that it is worth giving youngsters a go, given Kohli has barely averaged 30 in the last five years in Tests.
The 36-year-old largely struggled in the five-Test series Down Under, averaging not even 25, aggregating only 190 runs in nine innings along with a solitary hundred. Australian pacers brutally exposed his weakness outside off-stump as the right-hander got dismissed in the same fashion on all eight occasions, nicking to the keeper or slip cordon.
Speaking on Star Sports, Pathan stated that having a first-innings average of 15 is not what any team wants from a senior player as even a youngster can play better than that. The 40-year-old stated:
"2024 mein first innings mein jahan match set kiya jaata hai, vahan 15 ka ausat hai Virat Kohli ka. Aur last ke 5 saal ka aankda nikaalenge Virat Kohli ka, 30 ka ausat bhi nahin hai. Kya bhartiya team yeh deserve karti hai apni senior khilaadi se? Usse accha aap kisi youngster ko lagaatar mauka dijiye, use kahiye ki aap tayyar rahiye. 25-30 ka ausat toh woh bhi de dega. Yahan pe baat team ki hai."
(He has scored a lot of runs, but in 2024, while batting in the first innings, where you start the match, Kohli's average is just 15. If we look at his statistics of the last five years, his average is barely 30. Is this what the Indian team expects from its senior player? It would be better to give a young player a long chance, let him prepare, he will also maintain an average of 25-30)
Team India lose Test series to Australia for the first time in a decade
The 3-1 series loss to Australia meant it proved to be India's first defeat to the opposition since the 2014-15 leg, having won the past four editions.
Although Jasprit Bumrah earned the Player of the Series award for his staggering 32 wickets in five Tests, the 31-year-old could not bowl on day three due to back spasm. As a result, Australia chased down a 162-run target without much difficulty.
