Ahead of the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, former Indian all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri cautioned Virat Kohli‘s skeptics by bringing up the star batsman’s previous exploits there. With an average of a pitiful 22.72 in six appearances this year, Virat Kohli has had a terrible run of form with the bat in Test matches.
With an average of less than 16 and a single half-century, the 36-year-old reached his lowest point in India’s recent 0–3 home Test series loss to New Zealand. However, in the past, Virat Kohli has reserved his best for Australian conditions while facing the formidable Aussies. Despite his poor form, he has a chance to make a record for himself in the upcoming BGT.
When India plays Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth on November 22, Virat Kohli will have the chance to reach yet another significant milestone in his remarkable career. With just 102 more runs needed, Kohli will have surpassed Indian batting great Rahul Dravid, who accumulated 2,143 runs in 32 Test matches against Australia.
King is back in his territory- Ravi Shastri backs Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has had a wonderful history in Australia, despite his difficulties. He has amassed 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08 in 13 Test matches played in Australia, including six hundreds. Kohli, who is renowned for succeeding under trying circumstances, has frequently risen to the challenge against Australia, winning their respect and admonition.
Speaking to the ICC, Shastri reminded Kohli’s critics about the same by saying :
“Well, the King is back in his territory. That’s all I will tell them. When you’ve earned that title after your exploits in Australia, it will be on your (opponent’s) mind when you go out to bat,”
“Your juices are flowing, you’re charged up. It’s again a case with Virat. You want to see calmness because at times you are overeager to get out there and throw the first punch. But I think that calmness in the first half an hour where he gets out to bat or in the first three innings of the series will be extremely important. If he can be calm and play the game at his own pace rather than being in a hurry, I think he’ll be fine,” he said.
In Australia, Virat Kohli’s Test average of 54.08 is the highest of any nation outside of India. Six of the champion batter’s fifteen away Test hundreds have come in Australia, including four during the 2014–15 tour.
First Indian Captain To Win Down Under
Aside from his ability to score runs, Virat Kohli was the first Indian captain to guide his team to victory in a Test series in Australia in 2018–19. Under the inspirational leadership of Kohli, Team India was on a mission from the start after coming so close to defeating Australia 0–2 on the previous tour in 2014–15.
The team took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-four match after winning a thrilling series opener in Adelaide by 31 runs. As anticipated, the home team recovered spectacularly to win the second Test by 146 runs, tying the series at one. But in the following two games, Kohli’s team demolished the Australians, proving they were not to be denied this time.
But in the following two games, Kohli’s team demolished the Australians, proving they were not to be denied this time. They took an insurmountable 2-1 series lead after winning the pivotal third Test in Melbourne by an overwhelming 137 runs.
In the last Test match in Sydney, the dominance persisted until inclement weather forced a tie. Nevertheless, India overcame all of their hardships from earlier travels to win the series 2-1.