Kohli's record on Indian pitches over last couple of years falls short when compared to his overseas scores, and he will have to lead with the bat in remaining two Tests against SA
Indian Test captain Virat Kohli is undoubtedly the best batsman in the team. However, is he the best at home on turning tracks in Tests?
To get an answer to that question based on his inconsistent form in the ongoing series against South Africa would be a bit unfair on one of India's most consistent performers in recent times. But if one takes a closer look at his numbers in Tests at home ever since he made his debut, the tells an interesting tale, especially in the last couple of years years.
Between 2013 and 2015, Kohli, who took over the mantle of the important No. 4 position from Sachin Tendulkar, has just one century to show (against Australia in Chennai in the first Test in 2013) and two half centuries at home. The Delhiite has notched up 374 runs in eight Tests and 10 innings at an average of 41.55.
Surprisingly, Kohli seems to be a far better batsman on foreign conditions, more so in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In 17 Tests and 33 innings, the swashbuckling batsman has amassed 1559 runs at an average of 48.71, with seven tons and four half centuries. Interestingly, four off his seven centuries have come against Australia, where the ball comes on to the bat at a decent pace.
Kohli was successful on South African wickets too in 2013, getting 272 runs in two Tests at an average of 68 against Dale Steyn & Co. It was followed by another decent stint in New Zealand where he scored 214 runs with an average of 71.33 with one century and a fifty.
It's when the ball doesn't quite come on to the bat that Kohli's struggles are highlighted. In the swinging conditions in England in 2013, India's star batsman could only manage 134 runs in five Tests at an average of 13.40. Ditto in the first Test in Mohali, where the turning pitch wasn't quite to his liking. The skipper got out while playing his shot too early off Kagiso Rabada in the first innings, scoring only one and 29 in the opener.
Former India cricketer and coach Lalchand Rajput agreed that Kohli is a better player on pitches that provide him the pace to play his shots.
"Yes, he plays well when the ball comes on. He is a good back foot player and has got those shots. He square cuts and pulls, likes to play on the up when the ball comes on to to him," Rajput said.
The 2007 World T20-winning manager and coach said it will be a challenge for Kohli to score on turning tracks against South Africa in the remaining two Tests.
"The wickets are slow and turning. The ball doesn't come on easily. It is definitely a challenge. He will have to set an example and lead from the front since he is the captain, especially at home. As far as I know him, he likes challenges and doesn't succumb to pressure. He will come out and score again," said Rajput.
The three players who scored runs against spin in the first Test were Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja, all of whom played domestic first-class cricket this season. Kohli acknowledged after the Test that lack of cricket at home could be one of the reasons why the other batsmen, including him, failed to get going in Mohali.
"It could be (the reason why others have struggled)," Kohli said. "We have played a lot of cricket away from home, and we have not played a lot of cricket on turning wickets. We haven't played a lot of domestic cricket. That could be the case. Obviously, there could be a reason that it is always said Indians are very good players of spin, Asians are very good players of spin. That might pressurise a few guys saying that we have to play spin well. And if that doesn't happen once or twice, it starts building up," the skipper added.
India were bowled out for 201 and 200 in the two innings in Mohali, and if they are to maintain their grip over the Test series in the remaining two matches, the batsmen will have to put up a better show. And it will have to start with the skipper himself. So what exactly does Kohli need to do to get runs on these wickets?
"He has to spend more time in the middle and get that nick back," Rajput said. "He should look to get into the rhythm, and he needs to back himself. Once you start playing shots, you will automatically get the confidence and will get into the normal phase. And once he is back, he would definitely get back into form."
Will that process start in the third Test in Nagpur? Every Indian fan would certainly hope for that.
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