Virat Kohli hits 12-year low, slips behind Babar Azam in latest ICC Test rankings after Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Virat Kohli's drop in the latest ICC Test rankings has become clear after a string of disappointing performances in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli, who has only scored 190 runs across five Test matches, is now ranked 27th in the world—his lowest position since December 2012, when he was 36th early in his Test career.

This is notably the first time since December 2012 that Kohli has slipped out of the top 25 Test batters globally. Meanwhile, England's Joe Root remains at the top of the rankings, while South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma has moved up three places to No. 6, achieving a career-best rating of 769.

Pakistan's Babar Azam has also made significant strides, climbing five spots to 12th in the batting rankings. Kohli's recent difficulties have ignited discussions about his future in Test cricket. Once hailed alongside legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, Kohli's current form has raised concerns.

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has commented on Kohli's situation, hinting that the star batsman might be considering stepping back from the game. Ultimately, the choice lies with Kohli himself.

"This now takes my mind back to Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. When you evaluate their careers and see where Virat is, I think Virat still has it in him for the next couple of years to do. To get the youngsters coming through the ranks there. Help them out. Share knowledge. Be part of the dressing room. Contribute to the team. And if your form is still good and you're enjoying it, stay there. Otherwise, it will be time to move on, and your mind will tell you to do that," Shastri told The ICC Review.

Shastri encouraged Kohli to dive into the challenges of domestic cricket. "If the chance arises, I think they should go back to the domestic scene to truly understand its demands," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Bumrah reached a career-best rating of 908. Before the fifth and final Test against Australia, he made history by achieving the highest-ever ICC Rankings rating for an Indian bowler at 907 points. He then improved his score by one point after taking two wickets in the first innings at the SCG. Unfortunately, a back spasm kept him from bowling in the second innings, which limited his contribution to just batting.

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