New Delhi: India would need Virat Kohli at his best to make a mark in their upcoming five-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, says former chief selector MSK Prasad.
India travel to Australia for the high octane series that begins on November 22 in Perth. With both teams in contention for a spot in the World Test Championship final, it is expected to be a very evenly fought series.
India recently defeated Bangladesh 2-0 but have lost 0-2 against New Zealand with a match of the series still to be played. It was India’s first Test series loss at home in 12 years after a run of 18 consecutive victories.
India’s premier batter Kohli has not been in his elements, managing only 88 runs in four innings of the two defeats against New Zealand in Bengaluru and Pune.
The former skipper has scored only 245 runs in 10 innings at an average of 27.22 and has looked vulnerable against spinners.
Prasad said Kohli would need to come up with a markedly improved performance in the traditionally seaming and bouncy pitches for India to entertain hopes of winning in Australia for the third time in a row.
Kohli was the skipper when India won their maiden Test series in Australia, playing a key role, forging a crucial partnership with out of favour Cheteshwar Pujara.
“Hundred percent. If you look at the way he performed in the 2018 series, on one side he brought aggression into batting and on the other side (Cheteshwar) Pujara was holding the fort. So we are missing the combination those two had, caution with aggression,” Prasad told Star Sports.
Pujara has been dropped from the team for over a year now as has been Ajinkya Rahane, another dependable middle order batter.
“Pujara was playing solidly on one side and Virat got aggression from the other end. The way Virat batted, he inspired everyone else. So the form of the most premier batter is definitely a cause for concern, that too with the ICC Test Championship and the points system that’s there,” Prasad added.
Kohli’s impressive record against Australia
Kohli boasts of an impressive record against Australia in red-ball cricket, amassing 2042 runs in 25 matches at an average of 47.48.
The right hander has hit eight centuries and five fifties. In Australia, Kohli has been equally successful in Australia with 1352 runs at an average of 54.08.
