New Delhi: Australia will be mindful of Virat Kohli’s impressive record against them when the high-voltage five-match Test series begins on November 22.
India are in Australia currently preparing for the Border-Gavaskar series, with both teams aiming at victory to qualify for the World Test Championship final.
India approach the series after a 0-3 whitewash on home soil, with their skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli unable to find their best form.
Kohli is in the midst of a lean patch across formats, with only a fifty in five home Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand at an average of 21.33 since the start of the year.
But Ravi Shastri, who was the India coach when Kohli was the skipper, said Kohli revels in Australian pitches and would be eagerly looking to bat in the bouncy tracks, which are conducive for stroke-making.
“Well, the King is back in his territory. That’s all I will tell them. When you’ve earned that title after your exploits in Australia, it will be on your (opponent’s) mind when you go out to bat,” Shastri said, while speaking on The ICC Review.
In Australia, the No.4 batter has amassed 1352 runs in 13 matches, with six centuries at an average of 50.00. In 2014, Kohli had scored 692 runs in four Tests Down Under and had scored tons in 2011/12 and 2018/19 series.
However, Kohli needs to be watchful during the initial phase of the tour, and try to adjust to the conditions rather than trying expansive shots.
“Your juices are flowing, you’re charged up. It’s again a case with Virat. You want to see calmness because, at times, you are overeager to get out there and throw the first punch,” the ex-India all-rounder said.
“But, I think that calmness in the first half an hour where he gets out to bat or in the first three innings of the series will be extremely important. If he can be calm and play the game at his own pace rather than being in a hurry, I think he’ll be fine.”
Virat Kohli is in the midst of a lean patch with the bat, with only a fifty in five home Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand at an average of 21.33 since the start of the year. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
