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RCB's Ex-Coach Makes Australia Aware Of Virat Kohli's Form: 'Dangerous For Other Sides'

Virat Kohli in action [Source: @ViratGang/X.com]Virat Kohli in action [Source: @ViratGang/X.com]

Former New Zealand cricketer Mike Hesson believes that India’s star batter Virat Kohli is now at a stage where his focus lies more on winning matches for Team India rather than chasing personal milestones. Kohli has faced scrutiny over the past few years due to a dip in his Test cricket form. Though he has struggled to regain consistency, he has still made efforts to contribute. In the last Test series against Bangladesh, Virat Kohli ensured he made an impact after a poor showing in the first Test in Chennai, where he managed only 6 and 17 runs. However, in the Kanpur Test, he bounced back, scoring 47 and an unbeaten 29.

Kohli remains one of India’s top performers, and with the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the horizon, expectations are high for the right-handed batter to rediscover his rhythm and make a significant contribution with the bat.

The five-Test series will be held in Australia this November, marking India’s clash with the WTC champions nearly a year after their last encounter in the 2023 WTC final, held in June. Ahead of the series, Hesson commented that Kohli could be dangerous for Australia.

"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," Hesson told Jio Cinema.

Virat Kohli's Record Against Australia

It has been understood that this five-match Test series can be Virat Kohli's last on Aussie soil. His record against Australia has been remarkable, amassing 2,042 runs in 25 matches, including eight centuries and five fifties. He is the fifth-highest run-scorer for India against Australia in Test cricket.

Before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22, India will face New Zealand in a two-Test series.