BGT 2024-25: Irfan Pathan slams superstar culture, questions when Virat Kohli last played domestic cricket

Virat Kohli scored 190 runs in five tests in Australia.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan went on a monologue against the “superstar culture” in Indian cricket and the reluctance of Virat Kohli to play domestic cricket to refine his skills and rectify his weaknesses.

Pathan’s outburst occurred after India lost the BGT 2024-25 following their six-wicket loss in Sydney in the fifth test of the series. With this defeat, which is a second consecutive test series defeat for India, the Asian giants lost their grip on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and missed their opportunity to reach a third consecutive ICC WTC final.

While the bowlers kept bringing the team back in the test matches through spirited performances, the batsmen were a let down, in particular Kohli.

Kohli ended the series with 190 runs in nine innings, out of which 100 came in one knock in the first test in Perth. After that, he failed to reach even 40. Previously, Kohli had managed only 93 runs in six innings against New Zealand during India’s 3-0 whitewash.

It’s been more than a decade since Virat Kohli played domestic cricket: Irfan Pathan

Speaking with Star Sports after the SCG test, Pathan asserted that the individual glorification and superstar culture needs to end in Indian cricket. He further criticised Kohli for not playing domestic cricket; Kohli’s last appearance in red-ball domestic cricket was in 2012.

“We need to end superstar culture, we need team culture. “When was the last time Virat Kohli played domestic cricket? It has been more than a decade. Even Sachin Tendulkar has played domestic cricket more recently, and he has retired,” said Pathan.

All of Kohli’s eight dismissals in this series were edging the ball outside the off-stump to wicket-keeper or slip cordon. Pathan reckons playing domestic cricket would have helped Kohli rectify his issue.

“We are not degrading Virat Kohli. He has scored a lot of runs and played superbly for India, but you are repeating the same mistake again and again. Sunny sir (Sunil Gavaskar) has pointed it out, and he is here at the ground. How long does it take to come to Sunny sir and talk about that mistake? It takes hard work to rectify that mistake, and I didn’t see any of that,” added the former all-rounder.

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