2. Consistency Across Conditions:
Kohli’s record in subcontinental conditions is unparalleled, with his ability to dominate bowlers on turning tracks being a spectacle to behold. However, critics point out his performance in conditions outside Asia, particularly in England and Australia, where the ball moves more, as less dominant compared to his peers like Steve Smith. While Kohli has scored heavily in these conditions too, the argument often revolves around the consistency and the average in these tougher conditions. Smith’s ability to adapt to all conditions, for instance, gives him an edge in discussions about the greatest Test batsman, suggesting Kohli’s greatness might be slightly more conditional.
3. The Evolution of Test Cricket and Playing Style:
Test cricket has evolved, with pitches, rules, and even the approach to the game changing. Kohli’s aggressive style, while revolutionary and entertaining, sometimes doesn’t align with the traditional, patient accumulation of runs that has defined many greats of the game. His approach, which has been both his strength and occasionally his downfall, contrasts with players like Tendulkar or Lara, who could grind out innings in ways that might not always align with Kohli’s aggressive template. This isn’t to detract from Kohli’s method but to highlight that greatness in Test cricket might also be measured by the ability to adapt one’s game across different eras and against evolving bowling strategies.
Virat Kohli’s contributions to cricket, particularly in Test format, are monumental, the debate over his status as the greatest Test batsman involves nuanced considerations beyond mere statistics. His era’s competitiveness, the variability in performance across global conditions, and the evolution of the game’s demands present a case where greatness might be measured not just by individual brilliance but by how one’s game