Sunil Gavaskar, a former captain of the Indian cricket team, believes that Virat Kohli is quite capable of getting past his current awkward phase in batting in the course of the 5 match test series against Australia. That was before the Australian tour of 2018-19 where Kohli landed after a disastrous series of Tests against New Zealand at home where he managed to score a mere 93 runs in six innings as his teammates suffered an unheard-of 0-3 humiliation at home. Nonetheless, a turnaround is within reach, especially because of Kohli’s excellent performance in Australia in the past, Gavaskar believes. Over the years Australia has been a venue where Kohli has enjoyed tremendous success having amassed 1352 runs in 13 tests at an average of 54.08. Infact he has scored six hundreds and four fifties in Australia.
“Do you think he will have a problem? Yes, I do. That’s because he hasn’t got runs against New Zealand. He’ll be very, very hungry. Even in that Adelaide Test match, where in the second innings we got out for 36. If I am not mistaken, Kohli scored 70 plus in the first innings, and then he was run out. So, every single time he has ever played in Adelaide, he has scored runs. So, obviously even here, even if its a pink ball game, that a familiar ground for him,” Gavaskar said during an interaction with Star Sports.
Gavaskar, however, suggested if Kohli within the scores hundreds and hundreds in Australia, he has to see out those couple of balls to relax.
“First it’s head to head against Adelaide, it is Perth. In 2018-19, he made one of the best centuries at Perth by way of 2018-19. No word of a lie, it was a terrific 100. So, it is natural to feel a little bit confident knowing that you have scored on particular pitches, but some more over the time. A good start is important, but luck is also very important at the beginning, especially when facing the new. The bat may also be a little wet. Therefore, if he scores runs initially, he will score runs heavily,” he expounded.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series begins on November 22 with the first Test in Perth, Australia. The second Test, which is a day-night Test match, will be between December 6-10 at the Adelaide Oval. The third Test match after that will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 14 to 18.
The traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground is set to begin from December 26 to 30, Following which the fifth and final Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7. This series, promote a fascinating scenario and perhaps a watershed moment for Kohli’s career.
