[Watch] Virat Kohli puts in the hard yards in the nets ahead of BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Ace batter Virat Kohli was seen honing his skills in the nets ahead of the fifth and final Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to begin on Friday, January 3, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The 36-year-old lived up to expectations in the first Test of the series with an impressive century, marking his 30th in Test cricket.

However, his form has slipped in the following three matches, with Kohli frequently getting out to deliveries outside the off stump. In his last five innings, the Delhi-born cricketer has scored 7, 11, 3, 36, and 5, reflecting his ongoing struggles.

Ahead of the fifth Test, former captain Kohli engaged in a rigorous net session, aiming to recover from a string of low scores. The visitors will be counting on Kohli to deliver in this crucial match as they seek to level the series 2-2 and keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final alive.

Here’s a video of Virat Kohli batting in the nets:

Kohli has featured in three matches in Sydney, amassing 248 runs, which includes a memorable 147-run innings during the 2014-15 tour.

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Virat Kohli will aim to kick off 2025 on a high after a challenging 2024 in Test cricket

Virat Kohli endured a challenging year in Test cricket in 2024, featuring in 10 matches but managing only 417 runs at a modest average of 24.52, with just one half-century and one century.

This decline has been ongoing since the start of the decade, with Kohli averaging a mere 31.32 in his last 38 Test matches. Before 2020, his Test average stood at 54.98, but it has now fallen to 47.22. Additionally, the right-handed batter has scored just three centuries in the last five years.

The experienced batter will be aiming to return to his best as India prepare for their first Test of 2025, hoping to start the year on a winning note. Kohli has played 122 Test matches in total, scoring 9,207 runs, including 31 half-centuries and 30 centuries.