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“Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan’s Bold Call: Is It Time to Move On from Kohli?”

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Synopsis of the Article

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan criticized Virat Kohli for his poor form in the 2024-25 season.
Kohli scored just 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75, with a lone century in Perth.
Pathan suggested that Kohli’s spot in the team could be given to a youngster who might deliver similar or better results.
Sunil Gavaskar emphasized the need for selectors to focus on players who can contribute in the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Gavaskar explained Kohli’s struggles stem from technical flaws, especially on pitches with bounce.
India finished third in the WTC points table, missing out on the final.

Virat Kohli has always been highly regarded by Indian cricket fans, but his recent exploits have generated a contentious discussion. Irfan Pathan, a former all-rounder for India, has publicly questioned Kohli’s spot in the Test squad due to his protracted form problems. Pathan’s comments follow Kohli’s miserable 2024–25 campaign, in which he scored 190 runs from nine innings at a pitiful average of 23.75.

Kohli’s problems outside of the off-stump persist despite his brilliant century in the Perth Test. Particularly on bouncy pitches, his propensity to hang his bat outside the line has resulted in numerous dismissals. Pathan, who is currently a cricket pundit, expressed his opinions in an interview with Sunil Gavaskar on Star Sports. Given his deteriorating performance over the previous five years, he questioned if the Indian team should keep spending money on Kohli.

Kohli averages just 15 runs in the opening innings of the 2024 Tests, when hitters set the tone. Over the past five years, his average hasn’t even reached thirty. Does a senior guy like this deserve to be on the Indian team? A child could average between 25 and 30 if we provide him regular opportunities. The team, not a single person, is the focus here,” Pathan said.

Another legendary figure in Indian cricket, Sunil Gavaskar, expressed a somewhat different viewpoint. He emphasised the value of future preparation in an interview with Sports Tak on January 4. According to Gavaskar, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, needs to concentrate on assembling a squad capable of winning the World Test Championship again in the future.

Selectors must consider who will be available for the 2027 WTC final since the new cycle starts in June with the England series. The selection process must to be guided by this long-term strategy,” Gavaskar clarified.

Gavaskar responded to Kohli’s frequent dismissals by pointing out that the problem is more technical than psychological. “Kohli has trouble adjusting when the ball bounces because he is so front-footed. As a result, he hangs his bat outside the line and leaves. If this defect isn’t fixed, it will plague him on pitches with a lot of bounce,” he explained.

Senior players are now under more scrutiny after India failed to qualify for the 2025 World Test Championship final. With a 50% win rate, the club placed third in the standings. Selectors must make difficult choices about striking a balance between expertise and youthful energy as the cricket community prepares for the upcoming WTC cycle.

The remarks made by Pathan and Gavaskar reveal deeper worries about the future of the Indian squad. Even while Kohli is still among the best batters of his time, his recent performance has made some wonder how he fits into the changing landscape of Indian cricket.