DOHA: Test matches have convinced the purists around the world to return to the cricket fields. It has overcome the tough challenges from ODI and T20 formats to bring back the elegance and beauty which once defined Test cricket.
The India-South Africa or India-Australia series are competitions that are followed not only by their respective fans but also by cricket followers around the world.
The forthcoming India’s away series in England is also going to be one the keenly-watched. It would remain to be seen how the Indians pack up their aces against a struggling England Test team.
India will travel to the UK in June-July. They will first play a T20 series against Ireland and then compete against England in one Test (5th Test of 2021 series) and six white-ball games.
Former captain Virat Kohli, who is the most successful Indian Test captains, will be under the spotlight.
He hasn’t scored a Test century in almost three years. That’s the biggest issue. With Kohli not getting enough runs, Indian batting line-up looks dull and dry.
The BCCI has decided to give Kohli some rest for the upcoming five-match Twenty20 series against South Africa. The break is expected to help him get into shape before the England tour.
South Africa are scheduled to play a five-match Twenty20 series in India from June 9 to 19. Delhi, Cuttack, Visakhapatnam, Rajkot and Bengaluru will host the matches.
“It has been a policy decision regarding Kohli and other senior players that they will be given periodic breaks from time to time,” said one BCCI official.
Even in the IPL, Kohli has as many as three golden ducks (first ball dismissals) to his name with just one 50-plus score to show in a below-par contribution of 216 runs.
In 12 games he is averaging 19.63 and at a dismal strike-rate of 111.34. That’s awful for a batsman like Kohli, who urgently needs a break to get back his rhythm and regain his lost touch.
