Kohli Willingness to Improvement Has No Limits

He still has goals he wants to achieve even later in his career. “Even now, when I was coming for the press conference, Virat Kohli told me that he wants to work on one more shot,” says Dinesh Karthik. This statement shows his constant drive to become better.

Dinesh Karthik said, "Even now when i was coming for the press conference Virat kohli told me that he wants to work on one more short."
Sadly, A few months ago, his own fans were questioning his hunger towards cricket 💔
pic.twitter.com/0gkUmG1qDD

— leisha (@katyxkohli17) March 27, 2025

Changing Expectations and Criticism 

A few months back, some of Kohli's supporters said that he had lost his desire in sports. The most vocal of his self-proclaimed fans believed that he had completely given up on playing. Regardless, Kohli came public and proved everyone wrong by demonstrating his love for the game

Also read:-CSK vs RCB : Match 08 Weather and Pitch report IPL 2025

Kholi is a champion. His enormous dedication towards the sport endured great loss along the way and showed rest of us that what a true champion is. Champions never settle, they just keep evolving. Greatness is not about achieving lofty goals, but in fact constantly pushing the boundaries and further stretching one’s

 limits.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has long been a stage for explosive batting, and the 20th over often decides the fate of matches with its high-stakes drama. Here’s a look at the top players with the most sixes in the 20th over, based on balls faced.

Leading the pack is the legendary MS Dhoni, reigns at the top of the chart with 69 sixes out off 330 balls. The nickname, "Captain Cool," that he has earned is due to his strength of the capability to end games with those big strikes which has made him the most favored player and the most fearful of bowlers in the death overs.

Following him is Kieron Pollard, who has succeeded in hitting 33 sixes off 189 balls. This West Indian at many times has been the individual who gets the advantage of the match to the side of Mumbai Indians by his extraordinary magnitude.

Most 6s in 20th Over in IPL

69 - MS Dhoni (330b)
33 - Kieron Pollard (189b)
30 - Ravindra Jadeja (181b)
28 - Hardik Pandya (117b)
23 - Rohit Sharma (91b)
21 - 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 (106b)*
20 - Dinesh Karthik (136b)
19 - AB Devilliers (88b)#DCvsLSG

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) March 24, 2025

Also Read: Krunal Pandya’s birthday celebrated in RCB camp amid IPL 2025

Next Ravindra Jadeja who has hit 30 sixes in 181 balls, & he is an epitome of versatility among cricketers. And Hardik Pandya’s 28 sixes in 117 balls prove how he always drives the onlookers to the edge of their seats. Rohit Sharma (23 sixes off 91 balls) and David Miller (21 sixes off 106 balls) contribute their part, with Miller still playing and setting his sights on the list’s ascension. Also on the list are Dinesh Karthik (20 sixes off 136 balls) and AB de Villiers (19 sixes off 88 balls) to complete the picture, the accolade of a game changer being appropriate for them.

Also Read: Nicholas Pooran's smashing over: 28 runs in just six balls!

Their ability to maintain their cool is what sets apart in these high octane encounters. Classic moments from IPL history such as Dhoni’s helicopter shot and Pollard’s majestic lofts coupled with de Villiers’ 360 degree innovation will always remain in our memories. While Jadeja and Pandya have took the baton and established themselves as the new age phenomenal finishers with unmatched accuracy and power.

We might see new people on this list with the evolution of T20 cricket, but thoes names will always be remembered.

Top Ducks in IPL History

Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most thrilling cricket league in the world. Numerous players have played excellently in the past years, and some of them have also gone through rough patches. The worst IPL record is maintaining the highest number of ducks (getting out without running even once). In this article, we will consider the players who hold the highest number of ducks in IPL history.

What is a Duck in Cricket?
A "duck" in cricket is when a batsman gets bowled out without earning even a single run. It is one of the most frustrating ways in which a player can get out. Ducks can happen due to good bowling, bad shot selection, or bad luck.

ALSO READ:Dropped but Not Defeated: Ishan Kishan’s Stunning Comeback
Top Ducks in IPL by Players
At present, three of the greatest cricketers of all time have the highest number of ducks in IPL history. They are:

1. Dinesh Karthik - 18 Ducks Dinesh Karthik is an experienced wicketkeeper-batsman who has featured for several teams in the IPL. Despite scoring several match-winning innings, he also holds the record of making 18 ducks. His attacking style of play at times leads to premature dismissals.

2. Glenn Maxwell - 18 Duck
Glenn Maxwell, a destructive batsman, has also not been spared in the IPL. Even though one of the most destructive batsmen, he has been dismissed for zero 18 times. His attacking game style leads to premature dismissals

3. Rohit Sharma - 18 Ducks Rohit Sharma, as great a batsman and captain as he is, also holds this record. Even though he has scored more than 6,000 IPL runs, he has been bowled out without scoring on 18 occasions. He often gets tough bowling attacks as an opener, which results in early dismissals.

Nidahas Trophy is a tri-nation series conducted by Sri Lanka on their occasion of Independence which was first played in 1998 marking their 50th independence anniversary. In Sri Lanka Nidahas means freedom. The first edition of the Nidahas trophy was played between India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand, the matches were played in round robin format where each team will face the other team twice. 

After the round robin stage the final two teams with highest points will play the final against each other. The 1998 Nidahas trophy final was played against India and Sri Lanka where Sri Lanka became the winner with the brilliance of Sanath Jaysuriya batting. After that there were no matches happened after that. In 2018 it, was inaugrated by Sri Lanka once again. 

Read More: Rishab Pant Has To Score Big To Get Into Indian Team

Nidhas Trophy Of 2018

In remembrance of their 100th anniversary of independence, Sri Lanka hosted the Nidahas trophy where this time India, Srilanka and Bangladesh were invited and the same round-robin round was inducted. India was led by Rohit Sharma for the first time in the tri series. It was the starting stage of Rohit Sharma's captaincy, At the end Bangladesh and India reached the final of the Nidahas trophy, earlier where Sri Lanka was beaten up by Bangladesh and they booed with naagin style dance. 

That semi final match and the type of celebration were on hurtbreak for Sri Lankan fans and they supported India in the final against Bangladesh which happened in colombo. Even the main stream of highlight was Dinesh Karthik who was making his comeback after a period of decade which was rare to seen in Indian cricket team. 

Read More: Aakash Chopra Shows His Concerns On Making Rahane As Kolkata Captain

That final Hit By Karthik

Nidahas Trophy final was held on today exactly 7 years ago where Bangladesh won the toss and choose to bat first and posted a total of 167 runs. It became a tricky chase for India where India lost top few wickets at early but the middle order came into the resuce though the job was not yet finished and then came Dinesh Karthik at number 6 but it was to much of a score to chase. 

On this day in 2018, Dinesh Karthik Anna silenced the Nagins 🐍
Most viewed Cricket Moment on YouTube till date.pic.twitter.com/lBzGWFyAvB

— Abhishek (@vicharabhio) March 18, 2025

India required 34 runs in 2 overs where Dinesh Karthik took things under his shoulders he pounded the bowlers for sixes and fours, and a stage came where 5 runs required off 1 ball , Somya Sarkar bowled a full-length delivery slides wide and Karthik slashed the ball over mid-on and the ball travelled over the rope for six and Bangladesh was silenced in their every style

The Indian Premier League has not only provided a platform for young players but has also allowed some out-of-turn careers to resurrect themselves after injuries or even a slow phase. There have been countless names over the years who have taken benefits out of IPL to reignite their careers, catching the eye of the national team, thereby slowly gaining back their lost legacy. Here is a brief about a few biggest names who have turned around their careers, thanks to the IPL.

1. Shane Watson (Australia)

Before joining the Rajasthan Royals in the first season of the IPL in 2008, Shane Watson struggled with injuries and inconsistencies in international cricket. However, his all-round performances in the IPL renewed him into relevance, which included winning the Player of the Tournament award in 2008. He then went on to become a mainstay once again for Australia and later slayed in the 2018 IPL final with a match-winning century for Chennai Super Kings.

2. Robin Uthappa (India)

Robin Uthappa's on-and-off relationship with the Indian national unit was cleared up by his IPL success, putting him back in the spotlight. He represented multiple franchises, but his best was in 2014 with the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he won the Orange Cap and helped KKR win the title. It was this performance in the IPL that saw a brief return for him to the Indian team.

3. Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Before the 2011 IPL, this West Indies player lost his central contract and, in the auction, didn't find a buyer. And then Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) called him a replacement player, and the rest is history. He thrashed the league, culminating in the 175 off 66 balls in 2013, for the highest individual T20 score. His IPL resurgence also saw him returning to the West Indies squad, where he became the winning captain of the 2016 T20 World Cup.

4. Dinesh Karthik (India)

Dinesh Karthik's career has been marked by multiple comebacks, with each of them largely glamorous and IPL nursed. They achieved their greatest delight, owing to IPL 2022, with RCB, wherein he played the finisher role and forced his way back in to India's T20I squad for the T20 World Cup 2022.

Also Read: Shoaib Akhtar Raises His Concerns On PCB Missing The Champions Trophy Ceremony

5. Pat Cummins (Australia)

Pat Cummins had been tormented by injuries throughout the early stages of his career, forcing him onto the sidelines for years. In 2020, he was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for ₹15.5 crore, and his performance in IPL assisted him in getting his mojo back. Later, he became Australia’s Test captain and led them to more than one ICC trophy.

6. Rahul Tewatia (India)

Before he hit five sixes in one over against the Punjab Kings in IPL 2020, Rahul Tewatia was an unknown name; he became an overnight sensation when his consistent performance for Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans surely made him one of the top Indian all-rounders in the IPL.

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has come up with his feelings about in-form Karun Nair’s chance for the Indian national cricket team in the upcoming ODIs, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The 33-year-old Indian cricketer Karun Nair is in dream form with the bat in the domestic One-Day tournament, the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. With the help of five centuries and one half-century, including four successive centuries, Nair is leading the most runs chart of the tournament with 752 in seven innings with an average of 752.00 and a strike rate of 125.96. His batting has helped Vidarbha reach the Final of the competition. 

In 2016, Nair made his ODI debut during the Zimbabwe tour and played only two ODIs, scoring seven and 39 runs. He also made his Test debut in the same year at Mohali, when England toured India. In his third Test innings, which was also his third Test, Nair recorded a triple century at Chennai as he scored 303 not out against England. After Virender Sehwag’s two triple centuries, Nair became the second Indian batter to record a triple hundred in Test cricket. However, he couldn’t reach 30 runs in the other six Test innings as the right-handed batter played his last Test against Australia at Dharamsala in March 2017. Soon, he was out of the limelight but returned this year with his unstoppable batting form in the 50-over format. 

Dinesh Karthik praised Nair for his outstanding form with the bat. Karthik also hailed another forgotten Indian Test opener Mayank Agarwal, who is the second-leading run-scorer in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 with 619 runs in nine innings (average 103.16), hitting four centuries and one half-century. Just like Vidarbha skipper Nair, the 33-year-old Karnataka captain Agarwal has also led his team to the tournament Final.

See Also: BCCI's New Discipline Code: Key Guidelines for Indian Cricketers

It’s coming at a stage when the Indian ODI setup is almost ready to go: Dinesh Karthik

However, Karthik feels that it is too late for Nair and Agarwal, while the Indian team is set for their restart in the ODI format. 

Karthik told Cricbuzz, “Karun Nair, it’s been unreal to see the form that you’ve been in. Even Mayank Agarwal has been in some really good form. But the beauty is, it’s coming at a stage when the Indian ODI setup is almost ready to go. There can’t be too many changes.”.

“Yes, it’s very tempting to bring a Karun Nair into the setup, and I think he has earned the right to be part of the talks.”

I don’t think he’ll make it to the Champions Trophy squad: Dinesh Karthik about Karun Nair

Although Karthik doesn’t feel Nair’s presence in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19, he still hopes for the best result. 

The former Indian wicketkeeper-batter added, “But I don’t think he’ll make it to the Champions Trophy squad. But if he keeps going like this, why not? A form batter like that who plays fast and spin well, he’s a gun player, and I’m very happy for him.”

Age can play a major factor for Nair as the Indian team will grow to focus on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, while he will be close to 36 years old.

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik feels that the present Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir is under pressure in his early days due to recent negative results. Karthik talked about how the head coach can settle the situation. 

Gautam Gambhir, the former national teammate of Dinesh Karthik, has taken the coaching challenge of the Indian team after their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 trophy win under the coaching of Rahul Dravid. 

See Also: Bumrah to Miss Champions Trophy Group Stage? Selectors Await Fitness Updates

It's never easy to fill those shoes: Dinesh Karthik on coach Rahul Dravid replacement

Although the Gambhir-coaching Indian team won the home Test series against Bangladesh comfortably by 2-0 after a successful T20I series whitewash (3-0) and losing an ODI series in the Sri Lanka tour (2-0), they faced a historic whitewash defeat in the home Test against New Zealand (by 3-0) and also lost the five-match Test series Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia by 3-1. The team selections and batters’ performances in the recent Test series have been criticised heavily.

Recently, Dinesh Karthik talked about Gambhir’s coaching. He told Cricbuzz, "The Bangladesh series was a success, and I think post that, things have gone downhill for him in Tests."

While the early situation is very tough for Gambhir and Team India, Karthik believes that the former Indian opener needs some time, as it was never easy to replace the successful coach Rahul Dravid. 

Karthik said, "You've got to give Gambhir some slack. He has come in at a very tough time post the successful regime of Rahul Dravid. It's never easy to fill those shoes.” 

Karthik also pointed out that while coach Gambhir had a rough start in the ODI and Test formats, the ODI format was too small, as India played only three ODIs in 2024. Meanwhile, under his coaching, Team India impressed in the T20I format, both against the hosts Sri Lanka and the visitors Bangladesh. Karthik praises Gambhir for guiding the youngsters in the shorter format.

The pressure is mounting

Talking about Gambhir’s impact as the coach, Karthik feels that the correlation between the coach's vision and the players' mindset is important to build up a strong team. While Karthik also understands the limited opportunities for a coach during a match, he needs to work in the proper manner to make the dressing room positive. 

Karthik finished with, "The pressure is mounting. All he can do is give them freedom, give them the security they want in the dressing room, and try to keep a very nice and safe even sort of place there. But when the player walks out, he has to find a way to counter his demons and the opposition's questions."

2024 was replete with ups and downs for people who love Indian cricket. India didn't win the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, but they finally got their hands on the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy, with Rohit Sharma steering the team. This year, three iconic T20 players stopped playing, and more than seven Indian players stopped playing for their country at the international level.

Let's dive into who these players are.

1. Saurabh Tiwary (Retired from all formats)

Saurabh Tiwary, the man who swung his bat with his left hand and even scored 49 runs in three matches for India's ODI team in 2010, decided he had enough of professional cricket right after the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season wrapped up in February 2024. Tiwary made this choice because his performance wasn't to par at the local level anymore Tiwary, who had been part of the cricket world for 17 years materializing on the scene notably with Jharkhand in first-class cricket and remaining in the IPL till 2021 announced in 2024 that his cricket-playing days were over. That person who played for India in a few games said he is finished with playing professional cricket after being on the fields for nearly two decades.

2. Varun Aaron (Retired from all formats)

Varun Aaron from Jharkhand was very quick at bowling with his right arm. Aaron said goodbye to cricket at the close of the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season. People thought he was going to be great because he was very quick but he was often injured. Aaron managed to play in nine tests and nine ODIs for India between 2011 and 2015, and during that time, he took 29 wickets when playing against other countries.

ALSO READ:Gavaskar Backs Nitish Reddy Over Hardik Pandya as a Better Test Cricketer

3. Dinesh Karthik (Retired from all formats)

Dinesh Karthik retired from all forms of cricket international, domestic, and even the IPL after the IPL 2024 wrapped up. Karthik put an end to his impressive career. Starting way back in September 2004 playing for India, 2022 saw his last game during the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia. Through it all, Karthik played in 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20 games.Karthik did not simply play he scored a total of 3,463 runs that includes a century and 17 half-centuries.

4. Kedar Jadhav (Retired from all formats)

Kedar June 2024, Kedar Jadhav said he's retiring from all kinds of cricket; this person, who was 39, played several games for India - 73 ODIs and 9 T20Is to be exact. Jadhav was a solid player in the middle of the lineup who could also add some good spin bowling to the mix, catching 27 wickets in ODIs with an average score of 42. On top of that, he demonstrated his skills in 95 IPL games for five different teams, performing well both when hitting the ball and when throwing the ball.

5.Virat Kohli (Retired from T20Is)

In his last game for India in the tournament against South Africa, Virat Kohli shared that he was retiring from T20Is. Virat Kohli made a very big announcement after India won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 he was stepping down from T20I cricket. Starting his T20I journey in 2010 against Zimbabwe, Kohli had a great series of performances. Over his career, he participated in 125 T20Is, scoring 4,188 runs, which averages out to 48.69 this includes hitting one hundred and 38 half-centuries. Kohli is considered a legendary cricketer around the world.

6. Rohit Sharma (Retired from T20Is)

After taking India to win the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit Sharma said goodbye to T20Is. This includes an amazing five hundreds, 32 fifties, and an incredible 205 sixes, setting the record for the most in T20Is. Many achievements made him the premier run-maker in T20I history when he decided to stop playing.

7. Ravindra Jadeja (Retired from T20Is)

Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20I cricket post the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, and he was an essential player for India for over ten years. Even though he wasn't the best in the tournament, his role playing both as a batter and a bowler was vitally important for India. Starting his journey in 2009, he participated in 74 T20Is, took 54 wickets with a decent economy rate of 7.13, and notched up 515 runs.

8. Shikhar Dhawan (Retired from all formats)

Shikhar Dhawan, a key player in India's win at the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, said goodbye to cricket in all forms, the IPL included, in August 2024. Dhawan was last seen playing for India in December 2022. Dhawan's journey in international cricket began in 2010 and wrapped up in 2022; throughout his career, he played in 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is.Dhawan scored a whopping 10,867 runs, with an average of 42.28. Also, he hit 24 hundreds and 55 fifties.

9. Barinder Sran (Retired from all formats)

Barinder Sran, who is a left-arm pace bowler from Punjab, chose to hang up his boots when he was 31 years old. When he first appeared on the international stage for India during a T20 match against Zimbabwe in June 2016, he did very well at the beginning bagging 4 wickets and giving up just 10 runs. This debut is still the top first-game showing by any Indian player in T20Is. Despite this spectacular beginning, he didn't become as famous or successful as everyone thought he would in international cricket. Over his career, he got to play in six One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and a couple of T20 International matches, catching a total of 13 wickets.

10. Wriddhiman Saha (Retired from all formats)

Wriddhiman Saha, the person who kept wicket and hit runs for India, decided he was done playing cricket at every level on November 3, 2024. His plan was to stop playing cricket after the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season finished. Saha had his moments playing 40 tests and nine ODIs from 2010 to 2021, where he knocked 1,353 runs in tests which even included conjoining three whole centuries. Despite that, superstars like MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant often took the spotlight, leaving Saha's last match for India in 2021, playing against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium.

11. Siddarth Kaul (Retired from all formats)

Indian bowler Siddarth Kaul announced his retirement on November 28, 2024. Kaul, 34, represented India in three ODIs and three T20Is, taking four wickets in T20Is but none in ODIs.

12. Ravichandran Ashwin (Retired from all formats)

After the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane in 2024-25, Ravichandran Ashwin, who plays spin-bowling all-rounder for India, said he's retiring.  Ashwin first played in 2010 and has been in 106 tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20Is since then. Mr. Ashwin has gotten 537 players out in tests, 156 in ODIs, and 72 in T20Is. Ashwin didn't only throw -- he could bat, too, earning 3,503 runs in tests, including hitting six centuries and fourteen fifties. Something exceptionally wonderful about him?Ashwin's tied with Muttiah Muralitharan for getting the most Man of the Series awards in test cricket, which is 11 times.

2024 has indeed been a year of significant retirements in Indian cricket, marking the end of an era for some of the game's greatest players.

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has made a compelling case for including Varun Chakaravarthy in India's squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The seasoned "mystery spinner," who has shown exceptional form since his return to the international T20 scene, recently delivered an outstanding five-wicket haul in the second T20I against South Africa. Karthik believes that India would be missing out on a valuable asset if they overlook Chakaravarthy for this major tournament.

Karthik highlights Chakaravarthy’s remarkable comeback

Dinesh Karthik has been closely following Varun Chakaravarthy’s journey, having played alongside him for both Tamil Nadu and the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Karthik emphasized the spinner's impressive growth and the vital role he could play in India’s Champions Trophy campaign. Since his return to the national squad in the T20I series against Bangladesh, Chakaravarthy has grabbed attention with his bowling, finishing as a joint-highest wicket-taker in that series.

Reflecting on the journey of the 33-year-old, Karthik took to social media to emphasize the impact Chakaravarthy could make if chosen for the Champions Trophy, stating, "If India don't pick VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY for the Champions Trophy, then they are making a grave error. Outstanding bowler he is turning out to be."

If india don't pick VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY for the Champions Trophy , then they are making a grave error

Outstanding Bowler he is turning out to be #INDvSA #CricketTwitter #Cricket

— DK (@DineshKarthik) November 10, 2024

Chakaravarthy’s five-for against South Africa strengthen his case

In the recent T20I match against South Africa at St George's Park, Chakaravarthy exhibited his ability to deliver under pressure, claiming five wickets for just 17 runs. Despite India's struggles with the bat, where they managed a modest total of 124/6, Chakaravarthy’s remarkable spell nearly swung the game in India’s favor. His introduction in the sixth over dismantled South Africa's batting order, with the Proteas losing wickets consistently.

Ultimately, Chakaravarthy’s stellar performance couldn’t prevent India from a narrow defeat, as South Africa chased down the target with three wickets remaining, thanks to an impressive 42-run eighth-wicket partnership between Tristan Stubbs (47*) and Gerald Coetzee (19*). Chakaravarthy’s impact, however, underscored his value as a game-changer, reinforcing Karthik’s call for his inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad.

See Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB reportedly wants clarification from ICC about BCCI's decision

Karthik's plea on behalf of Chakaravarthy reflects a belief in his unique skill set and the balance he could bring to India’s bowling attack. Given his ability to adapt to various conditions and his knack for taking wickets in the middle overs, Chakaravarthy could be an asset to India's Champions Trophy aspirations. Karthik’s endorsement further positions the spinner as a potential X-factor for India, particularly in high-stakes matches.

India’s recent defeats against New Zealand have spotlighted the patchy form of its cricket icons, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, especially as the team gears up for a challenging tour of Australia. With Kohli and Rohit both underperforming, questions arise: if cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar could play domestic cricket at 40, why aren’t these greats doing the same?

Despite holding high batting averages, India’s top-order has struggled, leading to two consecutive losses that handed New Zealand a 2-0 lead with one match to go. Kohli and Rohit’s absence from the domestic Duleep Trophy season opener has further drawn fans’ frustration as they question the duo’s preparations for the international season. Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik emphasizes the value of domestic cricket in regaining form, especially given Kohli's struggle against spin.

Kohli’s spin struggles raise concerns

Kohli’s battle with spin continues to affect his performance in Test cricket, with statistics highlighting his vulnerability. Over his last 50 innings since 2021, he has been dismissed 24 times by spinners, averaging a modest 33.38. His last Test century came in July 2023, and with only 88 runs from his last four innings—70 of which were from a single knock—his performance against New Zealand’s spinners has raised concerns. Karthik, in an interview with Cricbuzz, noted Kohli’s lack of runs, particularly against spinners, and suggested domestic cricket as a way to prepare for the nuanced challenges of international matches. "Virat Kohli has not had it easy, the series has not been good to him, three out of four innings, he has disappointed. It's obviously a recurring partner where spinners have troubled him, and I think he will go and figure out what he needs to do to come out stronger. He is a man, who is searching for answers. When you reach that level of genius and super stardom, you will be thrown challenges and here is another challenge. India likes to play on pitches that aids spin, what is his gameplan?"  Karthik remarked.

"We all know what he is capable of, this series was not meant to be. Like the fans have been saying, he has not done it for a long time and that we cannot run away from. We don't want to sugarcoat it because we want to be as objective in assessing any player, any performance, at the moment. Virat Kohli's Test record in the last 2-3 years, has not been great against spin," said Karthik.

Domestic cricket: A path to revival?

Fans are now drawing comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar, who played his last Ranji Trophy match at 40 before his retirement from international cricket in 2013. Kohli last appeared in the Ranji Trophy in 2012, while Rohit’s final match in the elite red-ball tournament was during the 2015-16 season. Karthik's comments resonate with fans who believe that a stint in domestic cricket could be beneficial. He pointed out that while Kohli remains one of India’s most skilled players, his form in the Test arena has lagged in recent years.

See Also: Gary Kirsten likely to quit as the white-ball coach of Pakistan

Dinesh Karthik’s insights have revived the conversation on the importance of domestic cricket for even the most accomplished players, suggesting that Kohli and Rohit’s return to local matches could be a key step in reviving their Test performance. As the third Test against New Zealand approaches, Kohli will aim to counter his spin challenges, looking to regain form and restore fans' faith in his batting.