The former Indian skipper Virat Kohli recently opens up on Australia’s mindset and approach towards the game. In a video on the internet, he acknowledged Australia’s relentless mentality and competitive spirit and he will have to uplift his game to counter their intensity and will to win matches.
Virat Kohli has scored over 5,000 runs against mighty Australia in Internation which is most against any opponent. He also samashed 16 centuries and 27 half-centuries against them. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19, Virat Kohli also became the first ever Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia.
Virat Kohli revealed his mentality to face Australia
Virat also talked about his mental set up while facing Australians, he is ready to take on them in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
“I think that mindset is very clear to me. That they are such a competitive team that 11 people on one page and everyone knows what’s going on in the game and even if they get an inch of it then they will try to capitalize. So my motivation increases more against this team who have been aware enough, present at all times,” he said.
“Their skill-set is high and also so competitive that I’ll need to elevate myself to defeat them. Otherwise, the motivation, the drive and the awareness that they have, they won’t even give you a chance to come back into the game,” he stated.
Kohli is among those player who has maintained incredible consistency on the Australian soil, with an oustanding average of 56.16 across all formats includeing 11 centuries under his name in 59 outings.
Virat Kohli credited the Australians for their energy and competitiveness
He also spoke about how their energy and competitiveness helped him to take his game to a great level. He is eager to perform in the challenging conditions over there. Australia have had always upper hand in ICC events against India but the Men in Blue have dominated the Aussies in bilateral Tests.
“Because their energy or perspective in-game made me understand how competitive it is. And for defeating them, you need to elevate your competitiveness. So I think, naturally, since I am very competitive, if you want to win against the opposition, then you’ll have to find new ways and every team has a different way of playing,” Kohli said in the same interview.
“So this thing always worked for me, when it came down to Australia and that’s because they play cricket in such an intense manner. I want to take it on next level,” he added.
In recent times, India have defeated the Aussies in the last four bilateral Test series, including last two Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19 and 2020-21.
Virat Kohli has not performed quite promising in last two Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand at home. He will be looking to make a comeback with the bat in the upcoming tour that is scheduled to be played from November 22 in Perth.
With the series loss against New Zealand at home by 0-3, Team India finds themselves in very difficult situation, they have to win all the remaing matches to qualify for the World Test Championship final, which is set to be played in England next year.