This year, Virat Kohli‘s performance has yielded a disappointing average of just 22.72 over the course of six Test matches, albeit in challenging conditions primarily characterized by exceptionally spin-friendly pitches.
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In stark contrast, Kohli has consistently shone in Australian conditions, boasting an impressive average of 54.08 across four tours to the continent, even as batting surfaces have progressively become more challenging over the last four years.
Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team who led the nation to historic Test series victories on Australian soil in both 2018-19 and 2020-21, is expressing strong confidence in Kohli’s potential to regain his peak form.
“Well, the king is back in his territory,” Shastri proclaimed during a segment on the ICC Review show.
“That’s all I will tell (the doubters). 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.”
Disgraced cricket coach hit with another misconduct ban
AAP
Cricket Australia has imposed an additional ban on former Sri Lankan Test player Dulip Samaraweera following allegations of inappropriate behavior directed at a player during his coaching tenure.
Previously suspended for 20 years due to inappropriate conduct towards a female player, Samaraweera now faces new accusations concerning misconduct with a different player.
As per a statement from Cricket Australia, the latest allegation arose while Samaraweera was associated with Cricket Victoria but is linked to private coaching sessions conducted independently.
Despite denying the accusations, Samaraweera opted not to engage in the investigation or the subsequent conduct commission hearing, resulting in a 10-year ban for violating the sport’s code of conduct.
This latest ban will run concurrently with his initial 20-year suspension, meaning he remains barred from resuming any coaching roles within Australia or with a state or territory body until 2044, by which time he will already be 72 years old.
Samaraweera, a seven-time Test representative, had spent nearly 16 years involved with Cricket Victoria’s women’s programs, including a long tenure as an assistant coach at the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL, before stepping down in May.
“The victim in this case has demonstrated incredible strength of character and courage in speaking up,” said Cricket Australia’s Pat Cummins in response to the preliminary charge.
“From an organization perspective, the safety and wellbeing of everyone at Cricket Victoria is paramount.”
“We will not tolerate any behavior which compromises that position, or our people, and will always support our culture of speaking up.”
The Colombo-born Samaraweera had a brief international career, opening the batting in seven Tests for Sri Lanka between 1993 and 1995 before transitioning into coaching roles.
He began as an assistant coach with the Stars in the inaugural WBBL season of 2015 and briefly served as Victoria’s interim head coach during the previous summer.
Samaraweera had been slated to assume the role of head coach fully but resigned in May due to Cricket Victoria’s conflict of interest policies which barred him from hiring his brother Thilan to join the coaching staff.
How might Virat Kohli’s upcoming series in Australia impact his confidence and career trajectory according to Anil Sharma?
**Interview with Former Cricketer and Analyst, Anil Sharma, on Virat Kohli’s Recent Performance**
**Interviewer**: Welcome, Anil! It’s great to have you here today to discuss Virat Kohli’s performance this year. Despite being a world-class player, Kohli has only averaged 22.72 in six Test matches. What are your thoughts on this disappointing average?
**Anil Sharma**: Thank you for having me! Yes, it has been a challenging year for Kohli. The spin-friendly pitches have certainly not favored him. We all know he’s an exceptional talent, but conditions can play a significant role, and he’s struggled to adapt this time around.
**Interviewer**: That makes sense. It’s interesting to note that Kohli has had much more success in Australia, averaging 54.08 over his four tours. What do you think makes the Australian conditions more favorable for him?
**Anil Sharma**: Absolutely. Australia’s pitches, while challenging, tend to offer a balance between bat and ball and allow for a more fluent batting style. Kohli thrives on pace and bounce, which plays right into his strengths. He’s highly skilled at maneuvering the ball in those conditions, unlike the slower, turning pitches he faced recently.
**Interviewer**: Ravi Shastri recently expressed confidence in Kohli’s ability to bounce back, stating, “the king is back in his territory.” How crucial is this kind of support from former players and coaches for Kohli?
**Anil Sharma**: It’s vital. The mental aspect of the game can be as important as physical prowess. Having someone like Shastri – a proven leader who guided the team to victories in Australia – express faith in Kohli can bolster his confidence. It reminds him of his capabilities and past achievements, which is crucial when he’s looking to regain form.
**Interviewer**: Kohli’s reputation has undoubtedly been built on his performances in tough situations. Do you think this slump in form will impact his legacy?
**Anil Sharma**: Not at all. Great players go through slumps, and Kohli has proven himself time and again. His legacy is solidified by his record and resilience. Fans and analysts will always remember his significant contributions to Indian cricket. A few challenging matches won’t diminish that.
**Interviewer**: with the focus back on performance, what can we expect from Kohli in the upcoming series in Australia?
**Anil Sharma**: If history is any indicator, I expect him to come out firing. He knows the conditions well and has an excellent track record against Australia. With the right mindset and preparation, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him bounce back strongly.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Anil, for sharing your insights on Virat Kohli. It’s always a pleasure to discuss cricket with you.
**Anil Sharma**: My pleasure! Always happy to talk about the game we love.
