Former Australian cricket star boldly claims that Virat Kohli has lost his momentum in breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record

According to former Australian spinner Brad Hogg, Virat Kohli's recent inconsistent performance in red-ball cricket has put him at a disadvantage in the race to break Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most Test runs. Kohli's Test average has dipped below 50, with only 2 centuries to his name since 2020. In his last 9 matches, he has scored 1669 runs at an average of 32.72, which is below his usual standards. Meanwhile, his counterparts in the 'fab four' - Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson - have been outperforming him in Test cricket over the past few years. Kohli will need to work on his form and consistency if he wants to catch up and challenge Tendulkar's record.

Hogg feels that Kohli, who has 8871 runs in 114 Tests, has lost the momentum in the race to surpass Tendulkar's run tally in red-ball format.

"I don't think Virat is going to get there now. I just don't think Virat is going to get there. I think he's lost his momentum and the momentum that he's lost has been for a number of years now. He's got to turn around in the next 10 Test matches, or he's going to drop off," Hogg said on his YouTube channel.

Former England captain Joe Root has shown great consistency in red-ball cricket since the post-COVID era. The Englishman has scored 4579 runs in 49 Tests since 2021, including 17 centuries, half of what he has scored in his Test career, which began in 2012. He is also the top-ranked ICC Test batter at the moment with 922 rating points.

Hogg suggested that Root is the closest one who can break Tendulkar's record in Test cricket. The English batter is 3519 runs behind the Indian great's most runs in Test tally.

"So, Joe Root has 146 Test matches with 12,000 runs. Sachin Tendulkar made nearly 16,000 runs in 200 Test matches. That's 4,000 runs in 66 Tests. I think Joe Root can go close to toppling that," he added.

Hogg also feels that the English star will have Tendulkar's number in mind and be raring to break his record.

"I think it's going to be something to watch. Watch out, Joe Root is on the move to beat Sachin Tendulkar. I think quietly he'll have that in the back of his mind to try and topple that little unique stat," he concluded.