Andy Roberts wants Virat Kohli to be fully focussed on Test format to regain lost form

Legendary West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts feels it is imperative for Virat Kohli to be fully focused on Test cricket to regain his lost form. Kohli scored an unbeaten knock of 100 runs in the second innings at Perth against Australia but returned with scores of 7 and 11 in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide, which India lost by 10 wickets.

Kohli has scored only three Test centuries in the last five years and there is no doubt that he hasn’t been at his absolute best. The talisman has been troubled by the fourth-fifth stump deliveries, which has become his Achilles Heel.

In the last five years, Kohli has played 36 Test matches, in which he has scored 1961 runs at an average of 32.14.

Andy Roberts said while talking to Mid Day, “I don’t know if there will be a revival after the Adelaide defeat, but get your batting right. One of your best batsmen of all-time has been struggling for the last five years.

“He needs to be focused on the longer version of the game. You will get runs and score heavily in Test cricket only when you are fully focused on the longer form. The standard of Test cricket is not the same. The top batsmen look as if they are struggling.”

Kohli has looked tentative at the crease in the recent past and could only manage 93 runs in three Test matches against New Zealand at an average of 15.50 despite playing at home. The former Indian captain could only manage 99 runs in two Test matches against Bangladesh.

The third Test match between India and Australia will be played at the Gabba, Brisbane from December 14.