Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar revealed the Australian bowlers’ plan against Virat Kohli in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series. Manjrekar said that the Australian bowlers would likely bowl outside Virat Kohli’s off-stump during the 5-match Test series.
The Indian team come into this match after suffering a Test series whitewash on home soil against New Zealand. The series defeat massively dented their chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final for the third consecutive cycle.
“Virat knows exactly what’s going to be planned. They’ll start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mood is. These days he looks to leave balls outside the off-stump and if they have anything that is pitched right up, he will look to drive,” Manjrekar said.
“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 the middle stump which Josh Hazlewood would try. So all those methods will be tried by the Australians. And Virat Kohli is aware of that,” Manjrekar added.
Though Kohli hasn’t been able to perform well in Test cricket throughout the ongoing year, his record in Australia is quite impressive with 2,042 runs in 25 matches at an average of 47.48, including 5 half-centuries and 8 centuries. Kohli has an even better record in Australia, scoring 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08, with 6 centuries and 4 fifties.
