Pune: India’s Virat Kohli walks back to pavilion after his dismissal on the third day of the second test cricket match between India and New Zealand, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, in Pune, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)
Former India coach Ravi Shastri backed star batter Virat Kohli to roar back into form against Australia in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy.
For the last few months, Kohli has flattered to deceive with the bat, averaging just 21.33 in 5 Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand with just one half century. Things were particularly bad against the Kiwis where Kohli scored 93 runs in 6 innings.
“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 on The ICC Review.
Ravi Shastri has a response for Virat Kohli’s doubters ahead of the #WTC25 series against Australia 👀
#AUSvINDhttps://t.co/PIPMP1ApTl— ICC (@ICC) November 14, 2024
The comments were in reference to Kohli’s phenomenal performances in Australia, which include a fighting century in Adelaide in his first-ever Test tour in 2011/12, a staggering 692 runs from four Tests during the 2014 tour, and an exceptional 123 in Perth during the 2018/19 series when he captained the side.
Shastri though also cautioned Kohli to be mindful during the initial phase of the tour.
“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. 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.”
India will play the first Test match against Australia in Perth which will start on November 22. Then they will move on to Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to play the remaining 4 matches.
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First uploaded on: 14-11-2024 at 20:38 IST
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