India will be put through paces when they visit Australia next month for a five match Test series. Virat Kohli's side is expected to encounter some serious challenges on Australian soil and their performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could define their World Test Championship future.
India are currently invlved in a home Test series against New Zealand. Day one of the first Test in Bengaluru was washed away and India’s hopes of reaching the WTC final for the third consecutive time is depending a lot on how they perform against the Kiwis.
However, if the first Test gets washed out, then the importance of the five match Test series against Australia will increase multiple fold. Virat Kohli is certain to be a part of the Australian tour and the 35 year old has always lived up to the expectations in challenging conditions.
Mike Hesson, former RCB director of cricket operations, fired a warning to Australia ahead of the much anticipated tour. The former New Zealand coach explained Virat Kohli is at a juncture of his career where he only wants to win games for India.
He told JioCinema, “I think Virat Kohli is at that stage in his career where he just wants to try and win games for India. And I think that’s a dangerous stage for other sides, because if he’s doing that rather than focusing on numbers, the big scores will come naturally.”
“The ability to hold a tempo in Australia is so important—being able to counterattack and knowing the right moments to do so. As mentioned, from 30 to 60 overs is a key phase. If Kohli is batting at that point, he won’t let the game drift. It’s about finding gaps, hitting gaps, getting ones and twos, and then, if they try and attack him, then he can counterattack."
He further added, “He has the game and knows the conditions very well. The discussions he’ll have with younger players will also be crucial in helping them apply their game to challenge the Australians in the best way possible.”