Virat Kohli Still Proves to Be the Best In ODI Cricket

2019 to 2022 is famously seen as Virat Kohli’s lean period. His strike-rate in T20Is and his average in Tests became a question. During the period his average fell below 50 in Test cricket, while his strike-rate against spin in T20 Cricket started holding him back. As known in the cricketing circles, Virat Kohli ended a very long century drought with a hundred in the Asia Cup last September.

A batter like Virat Kohli going through a century drought seemed very unlikely given his reputation. In ODI’s he had a century for every 5.6 innings until the drought began. and 5.37 innings for a Test Century. Despite the lack of centuries, Virat Kohli remained a potent force in the ODI format.

With ODIs scarce over the last few years, Virat Kohli’s numbers may say otherwise. However, he still managed to come out with scores when he played. 2022, was an exception, but in 2020 and 2021, despite being in a slump, Virat Kohli maintained an average in the 40s. Being a part of the Fab four, Virat Kohli faced constant Comparisions with his counterparts, Joe Root, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson.

At one point, the four were a part of their sides in all formats, Joe Root though was out of the T20 format a long time ago. Steve Smith too is a question in the shortest format, while Root is becoming a question in ODIs with competition in the England team growing.. Furthermore, like Virat Kohli, Smith and Williamson experienced similar declines in form over the last two years. Through the period, Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli remain the only players who are integral parts across formats.

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Joe Root though went through a rise of his own in Test Cricket. However, despite his surreal numbers, Joe Root has not managed to run away with his form and claim himself as the best Test batter in the group. With Steve Smith providing stiff competition, and regaining form, the title for best in Test Cricket remained a debate.

Virat Kohli though has done his part to prove that he remains the king in white-ball cricket and remains one of the best all-format players. With consistent scores above 50 despite his poor form, and now two glorious centuries, Virat Kohli the run-machine is motoring on once again. In T20 Cricket, his strike-rate was a question. Kohli though, in his own style silenced critics with his knock against Pakistan. With such knocks, and his numbers in ODI Cricket, Virat Kohli continues to cement his place as the best across formats.

In ODI Cricket too, despite his form issues, Virat Kohli’s average remained the same. He has maintained his average of 57 consistently, while improving his strike-rate to match the changing needs. He was number one on the ODI rankings for a long time and is now to take back his spot at the top. With a big year ahead, Virat Kohli is here to remain the undisputed King of ODI Cricket. The aggression and passion are still with him as they have been through all his 45 ODI Centuries. Now, with more fearlessness than ever, Virat Kohli gears up for another challenge.