New Delhi: Virat Kohli will look to feed off the intense rivalry that is associated with the India vs Australia Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Kohli will be in action for India in a five-match series that begins in Perth on November 22. India and Australia are the top two teams in the World Test Championship rankings.
Both teams are in contention to qualify for the WTC final, to be played in June next year.
Former Australia tearaway pacer Johnson said he is eagerly waiting to see how Kohli performs in the much-anticipated series, which could be the star India batter’s last trip Down Under.
“The 36-year-old is most likely in Australia for the final time on a Test tour. It’s a place he’s done well. He averages 54.08 in Australia – higher than his career average of 47.83 and few batsmen around the world can say that.
“His form hasn’t been at its best recently, and he will be under pressure to perform again here in front of the many Indian fans who will turn out,” Johnson wrote in a column for the Western Australia.
‘Great rivalry’
During his playing days, Johnson had multiple memorable duels with Kohli, who is approaching the series after a form blip, having scored only one half century in 10 innings this year.
But Johnson believes Kohli’s impressive record in Australia will gibe him confidence and will make him motivated to show the form that helped him scores six tons in bouncy conditions.
“I wonder if the situation will give him all the determination he needs or if it will all be too much for him. As a fan now watching on, maybe I’d like to see him make one more Test ton in Australia. As his adversary from a decade ago, maybe not,” the former left arm pacer said.
“Ultimately, I want to see the best against the best and a series played with all the fire and urgency that has come to mark this great rivalry. And I know that’s where Virat will feel right at home.”
Former Australia tearaway pacer Mitchell Johnson said he is eagerly waiting to see how Virat Kohli performs in the Border-Gavaskar series, which could be the star India batter’s last trip Down Under. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
