3 Reasons why New Zealand Test series was last for Virat Kohli in India

After India’s humiliating 0-3 defeat in the home Test series against New Zealand, a lot of questions have been around the team combination and chances to qualify in World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s next year. It has been a disappointing series for many of the senior Indian players, including the likes of skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin. Now, India have a tougher challenge ahead as they are scheduled to play five Test matches in Australia, starting on November 22.

Virat Kohli had a forgettable series against New Zealand with the bat. The former captain could only score 93 runs in three matches along with one half-century, averaging at 15.50. Kohli has been in a lean form in 2024 with only two half-centuries across all three formats of the game. He was also seen struggling to tackle spin and play a big knock in the recently-concluded Test series against New Zealand. Kohli’s recent form has also raised questions about his future in red-ball cricket for India as Men in Blue aren’t scheduled to host a Test match for almost a year. In the following listicle, we will have a look at the three reasons why the New Zealand Test series was last for Virat Kohli in India. 

Why New Zealand Test series was last for Virat Kohli in India?

Lean form in Tests

lean form in tests sportstiger

Virat Kohli is going through a rough patch in Test cricket in 2024. The right-hander has scored just 250 runs in six Test matches he played this year averaging at 22.72 along with one fifty. Kohli even got a good start in a few innings but couldn’t convert them into a big knock. Along with this, he also failed to tackle spin in the Test series against New Zealand. 

Age factor and room for aspiring young talents

age factor and room for aspiring young talents sportstiger

Recently turned 36, Virat Kohli is probably in the final few years of his international career. Apart from that, India also have some talented players on the bench who have impressed with their performances whenever given a chance. As India aren’t scheduled to host a Test match for almost a year, the recently ended series against New Zealand was probably the last for Virat Kohli in red-ball cricket in India.

No scheduled Test matches in India for nine months

no scheduled test matches in india for nine months sportstiger

India are now scheduled to play five Test matches down under, which will also decide their chances to qualify for the WTC final. After that, India will travel to England for five Test matches from June 20 to August 4 in 2025. This also means that India aren’t hosting a Test match for the next nine months, according to the confirmed schedule. Also with the T20 World Cup coming in 2026, there is a possibility that the management could focus on more matches in the shorter format. This also increases the possibility that the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai was last for Virat Kohli in India. 

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