‘I believe he might be feeling some pressure, especially if he begins with a few low scores; it could significantly affect his performance.’
IMAGE: Virat Kohli boasts an impressive batting average of 54.08 from his four tours in Australia, yet pace legend Glenn McGrath cautioned that aggressively targeting India’s star player could unexpectedly energize him. Photograph: BCCI
Renowned fast bowler Glenn McGrath expressed that Australia possesses the “ammunition” necessary to target an “emotional” Virat Kohli, who is likely to be under increased pressure if he struggles in the initial matches of the upcoming five-match Test series for the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to commence in Perth on November 22.
India enter this highly anticipated five-Test series riding a wave of success, having secured victories in their last four encounters against Australia, including two hard-fought series wins on Australian soil.
However, the team is also grappling with the aftermath of a disappointing 0-3 series loss to New Zealand in their home turf.
“With the recent 3-0 defeat against New Zealand still fresh, Australia has plenty of confidence to draw from,” Fox Cricket reported McGrath as stating on ‘CODE Sports’.
He urged the Australian team to apply pressure, asking, “So put the pressure on them and see if they’re up for it.”
Kohli, a stalwart of Indian batting for over ten years, has been facing a troubling dip in form as a Test batsman. This year, his performance in six matches has yielded a dismal average of just 22.72.
The absence of injured opener Shubman Gill for the first Test and uncertainty surrounding skipper Rohit Sharma’s participation means Kohli will shoulder the burden of leading the batting lineup.
Yet, the 36-year-old cricketer has a track record of rising to the occasion while touring Australia, evidenced by his solid average.
Kohli’s average of 54.08 from his four tours Down Under stands as a testament to his ability, and McGrath indicated that an aggressive approach against the star batter could either rattle or rejuvenate him. Kohli’s emotional resilience will be crucial in these encounters.
“If they go hard at him and he engages emotionally, through some banter, who knows, he might just elevate his game,” suggested McGrath, the former Australian pacer who amassed 563 Test wickets across 124 matches from 1993 to 2007.
However, he cautioned, “I think he’s probably under pressure a little bit. If he has a couple of low scores to start with, he could really feel it.”
“Kohli is an emotional player. When he’s firing, he’s formidable, but when he’s not, he tends to struggle,” McGrath elaborated.
What are the key challenges that Virat Kohli may face in the upcoming series against Australia?
**Interview with Cricket Analyst Neha Sharma on Virat Kohli’s Upcoming Challenge in Australia**
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show, Neha! As we gear up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, there’s been a lot of talk about Virat Kohli’s performance, especially with the pressure of the initial matches. What’s your take on this?
**Neha Sharma:** Thank you for having me! Yes, there’s certainly a lot of anticipation surrounding Kohli. Given his impressive average of 54.08 in Australia, expectations are high. However, I believe he might be feeling some pressure, especially if he begins with a few low scores; it could significantly affect his performance.
**Interviewer:** That’s interesting. Glenn McGrath mentioned that Australia has the “ammunition” to target Kohli. Do you think that could backfire, energizing him instead?
**Neha Sharma:** Absolutely, that’s a very real possibility. Kohli is known for turning pressure into motivation. If Australia aggressively targets him, it could either rattle him or fire him up, and knowing his competitive nature, I would bet on the latter. He thrives on challenges, and if they push him, he might respond with some explosive innings.
**Interviewer:** India has had success against Australia recently. Do you think that could ease some of the pressure on the team, including Kohli?
**Neha Sharma:** It could help to some extent. The team enters this series with confidence from their recent victories, which can be a significant morale booster. However, every series is a new challenge, and cricket can be unpredictable. Kohli’s past successes won’t matter if he struggles early on. The key will be for him to focus on his game and not get overwhelmed by external pressures.
**Interviewer:** As an analyst, what strategies do you think Kohli should employ to deal with the pressure?
**Neha Sharma:** Kohli should stick to his strengths and focus on his technique. He needs to have a solid game plan, particularly against Australia’s pace attack. Maybe trying to score freely and countering their aggression with his own could also help him settle in. Mental resilience will be crucial as well; staying locked into the present moment will be key to his success.
**Interviewer:** Great insights, Neha! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Kohli and what lies ahead for him in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy!
**Neha Sharma:** Thank you! It’s going to be a thrilling series, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds!
