Indian star batter, Virat Kohli is under extreme pressure recently for his under-performance in Test cricket. He scored just 93 runs in the six innings at an average of 15.50 in the recent home Test series against New Zealand in which India were whitewashed 3-0. Moreover, the former Indian captain has managed to score just three Test centuries in the last five years.
Kohli has travelled to Australia for a five-match Test series in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25. A stern test waits for India and Kohli, which might be his last Test series if he does not perform well. Already former Australian players have started putting the pressure on India’s talismanic batter. Ricky Ponting has said that no other international batter could have found a place in the Test team with just two to three centuries in five years.
Virat Kohli has faced troubles to both pace and spin
Kohli has faced issues to both pace and spin. He has been troubled outside the off-stump by the pacers and he will be tested in the Australian conditions against the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Former Indian cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar has stated that Kohli clearly knows what he will be getting in Australia in the upcoming Test series.
“Virat knows exactly what’s going to be planned. They’ll obviously start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mood is. Generally these days he looks to leave balls outside the off-stump and if they have anything that’s pitched right up, he’ll look to drive,” said Manjrekar on Star Sports.
“Nowadays, they are also trying to cramp him for room and attack his body because he loves to get forward so much. So that is something New Zealand tried, which is very smart. And then if he is so focused outside off, that typical one of landing a ball on middle stump which Josh Hazlewood would try. So all those methods will be tried by the Australians and Virat Kohli is aware of that,” he added.
Although his recent form has been poor, Kohli has enjoyed batting in Australia and has a staggering average of 54.08 having scored 1352 runs from 13 matches. The Indian team will need runs from their talismanic batter if they need to bounce back in style in Australia after the 3-0 drubbing at home.
