Kohli hits lowest ICC Test ranking in 12 years

Virat Kohli has reached his lowest point in the ICC Test rankings in over a decade, following a string of poor performances during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Aside from a century in the series opener at Perth, the veteran batter struggled to make an impact in the remaining four matches.

The former India captain managed only 190 runs throughout the series, resulting in a slip to the 27th spot in the ICC batters' rankings released on Wednesday. This marks his lowest ranking since December 2012, when he was positioned 36th on the list as a relative newcomer to Test cricket. It is also the first time in 12 years that Kohli has fallen outside the top 25 batters in the world.

A Potential Threat to Kohli's Career?

Statistically, the figures do not paint a promising picture for Kohli. Across 10 Test innings, he failed to score even 200 runs, raising concerns about his form and career trajectory. His knock at Perth, where he delivered a sensational century, offered a glimmer of hope, but his form dipped dramatically in subsequent innings.

While confidence has not been a major issue for Kohli—unlike current skipper Rohit Sharma—his downfall has largely been attributed to reckless shots and repeated errors.

In contrast, England's Joe Root continues to top the batting charts, while South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma climbed three spots to claim 6th place after his stellar performances against Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan star Babar Azam jumped five places to secure the 12th spot in the rankings.