‘The wait might end in this series’ – Aakash Chopra expects Virat Kohli to end overseas century drought in Tests

Aakash Chopra and Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli ended his century drought last year after breaching the three-figure mark against Afghanistan. The batting megastar also ended his Test century drought earlier this year but is still waiting for an overseas ton since December 2018. Cricketer turned expert Aakash Chopra reckoned that the Indian star could end his barren run in the upcoming Test series against the Windies.

Virat Kohli’s prolific numbers at the top level are a testament to his otherworldy batting exploits. However, the batting maestro has struggled in overseas Tests in the recent past, with his last century coming against Australia in Perth at the fag end of 2018. While he does not have the best record in the Carribean, former India opener Aakash Chopra is expecting Kohli to end his dry run in overseas Tests.

“It is a very interesting thing that Virat Kohli has not scored an overseas Test century for five years – the last time it came was in 2018, after that an overseas Test century hasn’t come. So that wait might end in this series. If you see otherwise, his numbers are good against all teams, but the West Indies and England are the two teams and places where his numbers are slightly lower based on his standards, they are very good based on other people’s standards. So the focus will be on Virat Kohli,” Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.

Rahane will be able to save his place if he scores runs or else the vice-captaincy tag will not be of much use: Chopra

Furthermore, the ex-cricketer also weighed in on Ajinkya Rahane’s situation in the team. While Rahane has reclaimed his vice-captaincy role after a successful World Test Championship Final against Australia, Chopra feels that the Mumbai batter will have to score consistently to retain his place in the starting eleven.

“Ajinkya Rahane – it is an intriguing story. He was out of the team for 18 months and suddenly you do well in the World Test Championship final and you become the vice-captain of the side. But does that mean his place is secured? No, he was the vice-captain once earlier as well when Kohli was the captain.

It was in South Africa and he was dropped in the first Test. So I don’t think his place is cemented. I feel he will have to score runs. He will be able to save his place if he scores runs or else the vice-captaincy tag will not be of much use,” he added.