BAN v IND 2022: "It has been a tough year for Virat Kohli in Test cricket,” says Dinesh Karthik

Kohli registered scores of 1, 19*, 24 and 1 in the two-Test series against Bangladesh.

Virat Kohli might have ended his century drought and regained his form in white-ball cricket this year, but his struggle continued in 2022 in the longest format of the game.

The veteran India batter, who hasn’t scored a Test century since November 2019, finished the year with 265 runs from 6 Tests at an average of 26.50 with only one half-century.

Kohli returned with scores of 1, 19*, 24 and 1 over four innings in the ongoing two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

After his poor display in Bangladesh, veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik pointed out how Kohli has struggled for form in Test cricket this year.

However, Karthik backed Kohli to deliver impactful performance in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at home.

"It has been a tough year for Virat Kohli in Test cricket," Karthik said while speaking to Cricbuzz.

"He obviously had a tough time in T20Is and the IPL, but he showed his class at the World Cup. We understand that it has been a tough year for him. He has a great series against Australia to showcase his class and stamp his class."

Coming to the ongoing second Test in Dhaka, the visitors were reduced to 45/4 by the Bangladeshi spinners in a tricky chase of 145 at the close of play on Day 3.

KL Rahul (2), Shubman Gill (7), Cheteshwar Pujara (6) and Virat Kohli (1) were the Indian batters to be dismissed in the second innings.

Karthik cited the examples of Gill and Pujara to say that the pitch had a big role to play in the dismissals of Indian batters.

“For Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill, stepping out comes very naturally," he added. "So the moment the ball is released and it goes above their eyeline, they tend to step out. The problem in this Test match has been that the ball has turned from certain spots, and it hasn't from others.

"You always play for the one that turns and comes in, and that's what caused the downfall of Shubman Gill. With Pujara, the ball was slightly away from him, and he didn't have control. A touch unlucky, but he has gotten out like that at times."

At stumps, Akshar Patel (26) and Jaydev Unadkat (3) were at the crease with India still needing another 100 runs to clinch the series 2-0.

(With Cricbuzz inputs)