Virat Kohli Form Slump Fixed By Donald Trump: Will the US President’s Return Improve King Kohli’s Scores?

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Virat Kohli's recent struggles with form have left fans searching for answers, but could Donald Trump’s election victory in the USA be the unexpected spark that reignites King Kohli’s prowess at the crease?

One fan of the star batter took to social media with a humorous take, expressing hope that Trump’s return to power would coincide with the Indian batter regaining his best form. “Kohli was scoring hundreds for fun during Trump's 1st term. Kohli's downfall started when Trump lost in 2019,” the post by @imkevin149 read. “Now Trump is back.”

Even though it is meant to be humorous, there is a grain of truth to the post. Kohli, after all, dominated the cricket world with consistency and class during President Trump’s initial years in the White House from 2016 to 2020, even holding the ICC’s No. 1 ODI ranking from 2017 through 2020.

Virat Kohli’s Numbers During Donald Trump’s First Presidency

Virat Kohli’s years during Donald Trump’s first presidency were, by all accounts, golden. In 2016, he scored an impressive 739 runs in ODIs, averaging a staggering 92.38, and in 2017 he topped that with 1,460 ODI runs at an average of 76.84.

In 2018, he averaged a remarkable 133.56 with six centuries in just 14 matches, setting an almost unbeatable standard. Likewise, in Test cricket, he averaged over 75 in 2016 and 2017, including a career-high 254*, firmly establishing him as one of the best players across all formats.

The 36-year-old batter also led India to victories as captain, achieving personal milestones and lifting his ICC rankings to new heights. By 2018, Kohli was ranked No. 1 in ODIs and T20Is, cementing himself as one of the world’s best across all formats. His runs came with an intensity that seemed unmatchable, and his on-field aggression mirrored the unapologetic bravado of that political period.

Donald Trump’s Exit Marked Virat Kohli’s Form Downturn?

However, by late 2019 and into 2020, as Trump’s tenure wound down, Virat Kohli’s performances took a downward turn. In 2020, he managed only 431 runs in ODIs, a sharp decline compared to previous years, and his Test form also faltered.

His once-untouchable consistency started to waver, marked by fewer centuries and lower averages across formats. The following years didn’t bring the expected rebound, as 2021 and 2022 were challenging, especially in Tests, where he struggled to stay in the top ICC rankings. In 2022, he averaged just 27.45 in ODIs, and his Test ranking dropped out of the top 20 in November 2024 – a rare sight for a batsman of his calibre.

This period also saw a series of significant changes in the batter's career. In 2021, he stepped down as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru – a post he held since 2013 – and relinquished his leadership roles with the Indian team across all formats.

By 2023, the former skipper showed glimmers of his former brilliance, with 1,377 runs in ODIs at a robust 72.47 average, hinting at a comeback. Fans are now hopeful that Trump’s second term might rekindle his peak form.

With the 45th US President now back again in the White House, Kohli's followers are eagerly anticipating a revival. Will 2024 see the resurgence of the 'King Kohli era’ akin to his stellar run from 2016-2019?

For both Donald Trump and Virat Kohli supporters, only time will tell if the upcoming months are better than the last four years.