10 years of Virat Kohli: Year by year in numbers

2014

As Virat Kohli admits, 2014 was a big learning curve for him, especially in Test cricket. He saw two extremes in the span of five-six months.

He started the year well scoring consistently in both ODIs and Tests in New Zealand. He scored heavily in 2014 T20 World Cup as well. In fact, he was the highest run-getter and received the Man of the Tournament award as well. He almost helped India win the T20 World Cup single-handedly.

Then came the tour of England which was the biggest low of his career. He scored a mere 134 runs in 10 innings in 5 Test matches. In the following ODI series, his form continued to stagnate as he scored just 54 runs in 4 innings before finishing off the tour with a 67 in a one-off T20.

He came back strongly as he scored heavily against West Indies and Sri Lanka at home in the two ODI series. And then in December 2014, he scaled some great heights. He made his captaincy debut in the first Test at Adelaide and scored two scintillating tons in that game. He then scored a superb 169 (and 54 in the second innings) at the MCG to finish the year.

Kohli in 2014

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2015

In 2015, Virat Kohli was handed the Test captaincy after MS Dhoni’s shock retirement from red-ball cricket after the third Test at the MCG. He started off the year with a bang as he struck his 4th century of the series at the SCG.

He then scored a century in the 2015 World Cup opener against Pakistan before there was a lull. He was criticised heavily for his under-par performances in the World Cup. However, he then led India to Test series wins against Sri Lanka (2-1 away) and South Africa (3-0 at home). Unlike his usual self, he wasn’t consistent in all formats. Hence, his average didn’t touch 50 in any of the formats in 2015. Also, for the first time since 2008 (his debut year), his ODI average didn’t go past 40 in a calendar year.

Kohli in 2015