India’s Virat Kohli bats in the nets at the Wankhede Stadium during the series against New Zealand. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)
With the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy starting in less than a week’s time, all eyes are on Virat Kohli. From the Australian media to former Australia cricketers, everyone seems to have indicated that they are focussed on one man in particular in the long series.
Now, former cricketer-turned-analyst Sanjay Manjrekar has broken down how the Australian cricket team will try and target Virat Kohli.
“I think Virat Kohli knows exactly what’s going to be planned (for him by the Australians). They’ll start with that line outside the off stump and gauge what his mindset is. These days, he often leaves balls outside off and looks to drive anything pitched up,” offered Manjrekar on Star Sports.
He then went on to add: “Australia might also try to cramp Kohli for room and attack his body since he likes to get forward. This was a tactic New Zealand used effectively. If he’s focused on balls outside off stump, bowlers like Josh Hazlewood might target that typical Vernon Philander line on middle stump. Australia will test various strategies, and Kohli is fully aware of that.”
Scrutiny over Kohli’s form
For Kohli, the stats heading into the first India vs Australia Test paint a grim picture. Virat Kohli has just two centuries and 11 half-centuries in his last 60 Test innings. In the six Tests Virat Kohli has played in 2024, he has averaged only 22.72.
While Indian cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar have backed Virat Kohli to come good in the series, former Australian cricketers, such as Ricky Ponting, have questioned Kohli’s form.
Former Australia cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe said: “Kohli has worried Australia over the years. But in sport, if you sense the king of the jungle is slightly weaker, you poke a bit of cheek at him. I’m fascinated to see what Virat Kohli ends up with.”
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