Shane Watson said Australia will be well served if they don’t get into the nerves of Virat Kohli and get him pumping. Virat Kohli has had a lean run in Tests, but it is widely expected that the former captain will find his best in Australia. Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has cautioned Pat Cummins and his team against engaging Virat Kohli in heated on-field exchanges during the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22.
Much has been said about Virat Kohli’s dip in form and his eagerness to excel in what is known as his “home away from home” — Australia. However, Shane Watson suggested that Virat Kohli might pose less of a threat if left undisturbed by the Australians. The spotlight is firmly on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will feature five Tests for the first time since 1991-92.
Both India and Australia began training at Perth Stadium on Tuesday, and as expected, Virat Kohli has been a focal point. In an unprecedented move, a group of Australian newspapers released a special issue featuring Kohli on the cover, highlighting the immense popularity of the former India captain. Although he is no longer India’s skipper, promotional campaigns in Australia have positioned Kohli as the face of the visiting team.
Virat Kohli’s astounding form on Australian shores
In 2024, Virat Kohli averages just a little above 24 in the longest format of the game, and in his last ten innings, he has scored just one half-century. The upcoming series against Australia is potentially Kohli’s last tour Down Under. Australia has always brought out the best out in Kohli, as the former India captain has registered more than 1,300 runs in 13 Tests.
Kohli’s build-up to the Test series against Australia has not been ideal. Virat Kohli was one of the underperformers in India’s 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand. The senior batter scored just 93 runs in the 3 Test matches that he played, which concerned fans and experts alike.
Virat Kohli has historically been a sensational performer against Australia and in fact has scored 1352 runs Down Under. He is the second-highest Indian run-scorer in Australia in Test cricket, only behind Sachin Tendulkar. Virat Kohli has historically produced his best in Tests Down Under, evidenced by a sensational average of 54.08 in 13 outings. However, he averages a sub-par 22.72 in six Tests this year.
Virat Kohli ranked his century at Perth in the 2018/19 tour of Australia as his best knock Down Under. The champion batter has scored six out of his 29 Test centuries in Australia with the 123 in Perth being the last one. With India ahead 1-0 in the four-Test series, Kohli was the lone-ranger with his brilliant century in India’s 146-run defeat.
“My best knock in Australia is definitely my hundred at Perth, 2018-19 series that we played. I thought that’s the toughest pitch that I’ve played on in Test cricket, it was great to have a hundred on that one,” said Virat Kohli in a video shared by BCCI.
Virat Kohli smashed 123 runs in his lone Test in Perth in 2018. He has scored three tons in Adelaide – 116 in 2012 and 115, 141 (both innings of the same Test) in 2014.
Seeing the blazing form Virat Kohli exhibits on the previous tours Down under, former Australian player Shane Watson sends a stern warning not to instigate Virat Kohli the batter during the series.
Shane Watson sends stern message to Australia not to trigger Virat Kohli in 2024-25 BGT
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has warned the hosts not to trigger Virat Kohli during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Watson reckoned Kohli failed to maintain his intensity over the last few years and Australian players should keep their boundaries against the Delhi batter as sledging could bring out the best in him.
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Virat Kohli could return to his very best owing to his terrific form Down Under. Notably, the right-handed batter has 1352 runs in Australia at a strike rate of 54.08, including six centuries and four 50s.
Shane Watson recently told Willow Talk Podcast (via The Times of India):
“The one thing that I know about Virat Kohli is because he’s the fire burning so brightly and deeply inside of him, the intensity that he brings to every ball that he is engaging in a game has been superhuman. But there have been moments in his career when that fire started to go out because it is so hard to maintain that intensity.”
“That is where the Australian team needs to leave him alone, and hope that he doesn’t bring that intensity. If he brings that, then that just shuts everything out, and that’s when he will be at his very best. But if stuff is going on and that intensity is not there, then you see that not the best version of Virat,” he added.
With the first Test beginning on 22nd November at Optus Stadium in Perth, additional responsibility will lie on Virat Kohli’s shoulders in the Perth Test given India do not have the services of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. While Sharma is on paternity leave, Shubman Gill has fractured his thumb, casting doubts over his presence in the first 2 Test matches of the series.