IND vs SL: Virat Kohli's average slips below 50 for the first time since 2017 after forgettable Bengaluru Test

The crowd at M Chinnaswamy Stadium went silent as Indian batter Virat Kohli got out for the second time in two days by a ball that kept low on a track that has had some uneven bounce. The 33-year-old was dejected and took a long look at the surface after being hit plumb by spinner Pravin Jayawickrama. Kohli didn’t even bother to think about a review as he trudged back to the pavilion for a score of 13.

It is to be noted that Kohli got out in a similar fashion during his first inning as well. The former Indian captain was batting on 23 before being adjudged lbw against off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva on a delivery that kept low. The right-handed batter had a similar look on his face just like in the second innings.

Looking to rectify his mistake in the first innings, Kohli tried to look busy at the wicket, which had a bit of uneven bounce and turn. The 33-year-old walked into the middle after receiving a loud cheer from the crowd. However, he could only manage to score 13 runs, hitting one boundary in the process.

Virat Kohli last scored a century in 2019

After having two similar dismissals, Kohli’s average fell below 50 for the first time since 2017. The right-handed-batter now averages 49.95. In 101 Test matches, Kohli has amassed 8043 runs with 28 fifties and 27 centuries under his belt.

He was required to score 43 runs in the second Test to maintain his average above fifty but the former skipper managed just 36 runs. The Indian stalwart has not managed to hit a century in the international circuit since November 2019.

In 2020, Kohli managed to score just 74 runs in three Tests. He scored as many as 536 runs in 11 Test matches at an average of 28.21 in 2021.The 33-year-old has played three Tests this year so far and has scored just 189 runs, including one half-century.