India’s batting juggernaut Virat Kohli is going through a lean patch with the bat in Tests which left fans wondering about his future in the longest format of the game. Virat Kohli’s batting fiasco in the just-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025 left many talking about his Test retirement.
Virat Kohli’s batting horror
Kohli managed to score just 190 runs across nine innings despite a a century in Perth Test at an average of 23.75 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India ended up losing 1-3 to Australia. And if you exclude the 136 runs he scored across his two innings in Perth and Melbourne, Kohli’s contribution in the remaining seven completed innings during the recent Australian tour would amount to a mere 54 runs, which only proves the extent of his form slump. The dismal run with the bat has put India’s batting maestro’s place in India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against England in jeopardy. Kohli’s rough phase in Tests is on since 2020. Notably, Kohli boasted an incredible batting average of 54.97 until but during the lean patch it plummeted to 46.85.
Why Virat Kohli can’t play county cricket in England?
Meanwhile, reports were doing rounds that the 36-year-old may consider playing county cricket in England to find his mojo back in Tests. However, the 2024 County Championship season has already concluded, making it impossible for him to participate.
Ideally, playing domestic cricket in England would be the perfect preparation for the upcoming five-match Test series.
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After Test series Down Under, Kohli will shift his focus on the upcoming ODI series against England, followed by the Champions Trophy 2025 and Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
While the official dates for the 2025 IPL are yet to be announced, the tournament typically kicks off in the third week of March and concludes in the last week of May. Based on past trends, the final is expected to be held on May 25.
The first Test of the England series is scheduled to begin on June 20 at Headingley. The series will then move to Edgbaston, Lord’s, and Old Trafford before culminating at the iconic Oval Stadium in London on July 31.
While there is a gap of almost a month between the IPL final and the start of the England Test series, Kohli will unfortunately be unable to play in the County Championship. The 7th round of County Championship matches is scheduled for May 23-26, while the 8th round begins on June 22. During this period, English county teams will transition to the shorter format, focusing on the T20 Blast.
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The only feasible way for Kohli to participate in County Cricket would be to skip the latter stages of the IPL. However, such a decision would be unprecedented for a top Indian cricketer.
The gap between the IPL final and the first Test against England is approximately a month. However, Kohli will not have the opportunity to play in the County Championship during this period. The 7th round of County Championship matches is scheduled for May 23-26, while the 8th round commences on June 22nd. During this interim, English county teams will transition to the shorter format, participating in the T20 Blast. The only viable path for Kohli to participate in County Cricket would be to forego the latter stages of the IPL which looks unlikely.
