Stats: How much have Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara's averages dropped in Tests in last three years?

Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara failed to produce valuable knocks in the first innings of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final, at The Oval in London against Australia. While Kohli could only manage to get a paltry 14 runs off 31 balls, Test specialist Pujara amassed 14 off 25 balls, as both got mere two boundaries in their respective innings.

It is worth mentioning that Pujara, who has flourished in the longest format, saw a massive dip in his average in 2023 when compared with his numbers in the last three years. In 2020, Pujara recorded his lowest average as 20.37. 

However, he peaked in 2022 wherein the delicate right-hander averaged a solid 45.44, having registered 409 runs in just five appearances, lacing it with three fifties and one century. Despite a sharp rise in his run tally, Pujara failed to maintain his average in 2023, as he has a mere average of 25.66 in five appearances, having notched up 154 runs, featuring one half-century. 

On the other hand, Virat Kohli in his five matches thus far in 2023, has collected 311 runs which features one ton at an average of 44.42. In the process, this became his highest average recorded as compared with the last three years. 

It is no secret that the former India skipper endured a rather lean patch in his professional career between 2020-2022. With this, his Test numbers too were underwhelming as he compiled averages of 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively during the timeline. While the duo has not featured in too many games in the calendar year, they will be looking to make the most of the remaining Test games in 2023 and better their average. Meanwhile, Pujara and Kohli will also look to push through in the second innings and carve out vital innings to help team India get ahead in the WTC final.

Average numbers of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara (2020-2023)-

Virat Kohli 

Cheteshwar Pujara