NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli‘s woeful run with the bat in Test cricket continues to be a talking point in the cricketing circles with his former Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate Faf du Plessis throwing his weight behind his potential return to form.
In the five Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli scored just 190 runs at an average of 23.75 and was dismissed eight times chasing deliveries outside the off-stump.
Since 2020, Kohli’s Test numbers reveal a stark decline. In 39 matches, he has scored 2,028 runs at an average of 30.72, including just three centuries, suggesting that Kohli is going through his career’s all-time lowest phase.
Du Plessis believes Kohli, known for his immense drive and past successes, will instinctively know how to navigate through tough phases and return to form when the time is right.
“Yeah, it’s different for every player. Every player needs to answer that question himself. I remember when that time was for me. I just knew that, certainly from a Test cricket perspective for me, I didn’t have that same hunger and drive for Test cricket anymore, and I felt that that stage, certainly for me, was a good time to let new guys come in and also step into the T20 world. So I wanted to do that at a stage where I still felt like I was on top of my game,” du Plessis said while addressing press conference for SA20 Season 3’s Captain’s Day.
“That’s very, very personal. No one can speak to you about when that time is. As a player, you’ll know. I know someone like him. He’s super, super motivated. He’s gone through it all before, so you’ll know exactly what to do to get through it,” he added.
Du Plessis expressed his displeasure with the ICC reportedly considering the introduction of a two-tier Test system.
“No, I think we need the game to be healthy,” Du Plessis said.
“We saw over the last few years the value that was put on Test cricket by Australia, England and India making sure that there were 4-5 Test series.
“When you look at the other teams, there are two Test matches here and there and playing six Test matches a season. I do not think that is healthy for the game,” he offered.
“As long as we can look at Test cricket as (being) important, you just look at all the Test matches that took place over the last few weeks, some incredible matches have been played,” Du Plessis noted.
You were part of DC this time. How excited are you for this new role? (4:23)
Du Plessis, who led RCB to the playoffs in the previous IPL season, will be donning the Delhi Capitals jersey in IPL 2025 and is excited to be a part of his 14th IPL season.
“Yeah, new franchise. Obviously excited just to be part of the IPL. I think it will be my 14th season in the IPL, so I’m really proud of that. And just, as with any team and everywhere I go, is to give my best and make sure I put in some really good performances,” he said.
