‘Past performances in Perth, Adelaide will give extra confidence’ – Sunil Gavaskar backs Virat Kohli ahead of BGT 2024-25

Sunil Gavaskar backs Virat Kohli ahead of BGT 2024-25. (Photo Source: X(Twitter and BCCI)

Sunil Gavaskar hopes that Virat Kohli will be able to overcome his dismal run of form in the red-ball format during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The former India captain has had surreal success on Australian soil in the past and his contributions will be important as India lock horns with the reigning world Test champions in a five-match Test series, starting on Friday, November 22.

Kohli has played 25 innings in Australia in Tests and amassed an impressive 1352 runs at an average of 54.08. He has also registered six centuries and four half-centuries Down Under. Gavaskar backed Kohli to come out all guns blazing against the Aussies, highlighting his past success in Perth and Adelaide.

“Because he [Kohli] 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 all out for 36, in the first innings, Kohli got 70 plus [74], if I recall correctly, before being run out. He’s consistently performed at Adelaide, so it’s a familiar ground for him. And before Adelaide, it’s Perth, where he played one of the finest Test centuries in 2018-19. A terrific hundred. Having performed on these grounds, he’ll feel that extra bit of confidence. Of course, you need a bit of luck at the start, but if he gets off to a good start, he will get big runs,” Gavaskar said while speaking on Star Sports.

Australia will test various strategies, and Virat Kohli is fully aware of that: Sanjay Manjrekar

Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Kohli is aware of what the Australians are going to test him with. The former India cricketer said that Pat Cummins and Co. will start by bowling in the channel outside the off-stump and see how the Delhi batter reacts. Manjrekar also reckons that the Aussies could bowl at his body to cramp him for room as he likes to come onto the front foot.

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“I think Virat knows exactly what’s going to be planned. 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. Australia might also try to cramp him 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 Virat Kohli is fully aware of that,” Manjrekar noted.