Former Indian chief selector MSK Prasad reckons Virat Kohli’s ordinary form heading into the Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia is a cause of concern. In the first two Test matches against New Zealand, Kohli has returned with scores of 0, 70, 1, 17.
Furthermore, Kohli could only score 99 runs in two Test matches against Bangladesh at an average of 33.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli has scored 2042 runs in 25 Test matches against Australia at an average of 47.48, including eight centuries. Kohli has even better numbers while playing in Australia as he has scored 1352 runs in 13 Test matches at an impressive average of 54.08, including six centuries but his form in the recent past is definitely a headache for the team.
“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 said on Star Sports when asked if Kohli needs to be in prime form for the Australia tour.
“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,” the former India selector added.
On the other hand, former left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi is confident that Kohli will turn a corner against Australia in the upcoming Test series.
“I am a hundred percent confident about the way Virat Kohli will start this tour. He might not have scored runs here (in India), but Virat Kohli definitely shines against big teams and on big occasions,” he said.
Joshi, who was known to play quick cameos for the team during his time, said Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul will also hold the key.
“We have seen that earlier and will see it going forward as well. However, for me, apart from Virat, the batters who could make the most impact are Sarfaraz and KL Rahul,” Joshi observed.
The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.
