What is Virat Kohli's record at the SCG ahead of BGT 2024-25 5th Test?

Ace Team India batter Virat Kohli has endured a difficult run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. While the former World No.1 batter is known to thrive in Australian conditions, he hasn't quite come into his elements in this tour.

Kohli will look to end the tour at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on a high, which will likely be his last Test down under. How do records stack up for the veteran batter at this ground?

The 36-year-old has amassed 248 runs in three Tests at the SCG at an average of just below 50, including a big century.

The first time Kohli played in Sydney was during India's 2011-12 tour down under. The youngster, as he was then, had an ordinary outing, returning with scores of 23 and nine across two innings. The right-hander nicked one outside the off stump off Peter Siddle to get out in the first innings. However, he was unlucky to get LBW in the second essay, as the ball hit the crack and kept low to hit his pads in front of the wicket.

The visiting side also surrendered in front of a quality Aussie team, losing the match by an innings and 68 runs.

Virat Kohli had his best outings in Australia during the 2014-15 tour. He scored four centuries and one fifty in eight innings, aggregating 692 runs at an average of 86.50. The Delhi-born cricketer began the tour with twin centuries in Adelaide before enduring a slump at the Gabba. Kohli returned to his best with a stunning 169 in Melbourne and followed it up with another classy 147 in Sydney.

The Aussies posted a mammoth 572/7 declared after batting first at the SCG. India replied strongly with centuries from KL Rahul and Kohli. The former India skipper, in particular, was exceptional, as he navigated the star-studded Aussie attack to score a big hundred. However, he was unlucky to miss out on a well-deserved 150.

Kohli batted for more than five hours for his 147 off 230 deliveries. His innings was studded with 20 classical boundaries. He was eventually dismissed by Ryan Harris while trying to look for quick runs. The ace batter scored a patient 46 in the second essay, as the match ended in a draw.

However, Virat Kohli's last outing at the SCG wasn't a memorable one. On a track where India piled on 600 runs with centuries from Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara, Kohli was dismissed cheaply for 23. He was unlucky to edge one down the leg side while trying to flick a Josh Hazlewood delivery, giving a straight catch to wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

The high-scoring encounter ended in a draw before India won the Brisbane Test to clinch the series 2-1.

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How has Virat Kohli performed in BGT 2024-25?

The former India skipper had an ordinary start to the tour in Perth, nicking one to Usman Khawaja off Jos Hazlewood after scoring only five runs. However, he bounced back strongly with an unbeaten century in the second innings, as the Men in Blue recorded a 295-run victory to get the series underway.

Things have gone downhill for him ever since. He returned with scores of seven and 11 in the day-night fixture in Adelaide before getting out for three at the Gabba.

Virat Kohli looked determined for a big innings in Perth and was solid for his 36 in the first essay. However, a lapse in concentration after Yashasvi Jaiswal's runout led to his dismissal, as he edged one to Alex Carey off Scott Boland. Neither was the second innings better for Kohli, who scored only five runs, as India suffered an 184-run defeat to go 1-2 down in the series.