‘His hunger is always there’ – Gautam Gambhir backs Virat Kohli to come good after a quiet Bangladesh series

While Virat Kohli didn’t have a great series against Bangladesh, Gautam Gambhir, the Indian coach, has backed him to come good in the upcoming crucial assignments against New Zealand and Australia. Labelling him a “world-class batter”, Gambhir revealed Kohli still has the hunger for runs.

“See, my thoughts about Virat have always been very clear. He is a world-class cricketer. He has performed for such a long time. He is as hungry as when he made his debut. I remember opening the batting with him when he made his debut in Sri Lanka to now, his hunger is always there. That’s what makes him a world-class cricketer.

“I am sure he will be hungry to get runs in this series, and probably moving forward to Australia as well. Once he gets into the run-scoring form, how consistent he can be. He will be looking forward to these three Tests and the series in Australia.”

Kohli could only score 99 runs in four innings, and his scores across four outings read: 6, 17, 47, and 29. His faulty technique, including Virat chasing deliveries outside the off-stump line away from the body, came to the fore again.

Virat Kohli looks to redeem himself in the New Zealand series

Virat Kohli has played three Tests in 2024, scoring 157 runs at an average of 31.40, including the best of 47. The upcoming assignments against New Zealand will be crucial for Kohli, for the team would want him to get some runs under the belt before a big series against Australia.

He should look to make the required technical adjustments in order to regain his lost form against a quality attack of New Zealand. For starters, he should not chase the delivery outside the off-stump line, for the Kiwi pacers are skilled enough to test him consistently in this area.

Also Read: ‘Zero experience’: Former India cricketer tears into top stars after disappointing Australia loss

Overall, Kohli has 866 runs at an average of 45.57, including three fifties and as many centuries, in 21 Test innings against New Zealand. He requires another 53 runs to complete 9000 runs in Test cricket and will become only the fourth Indian to achieve it.

The three-match Test series against New Zealand begins on October 16 in Bengaluru. The next two matches will be played in Pune and Mumbai before the team hits the road for the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

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