The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) as India takes on Australia. Among the many talking points, Virat Kohli’s form has been a hot topic. Former Australia coach Justin Langer has expressed confidence in Kohli’s ability to bounce back and deliver outstanding performances during the series.
Recently, Australia’s pacer Glenn McGrath targeted Virat Kohli. He said that Australia should target ’emotional’ Virat Kohli, as he’s already in pressure after a poor performance against New Zealand.
Kohli’s struggles and the road to redemption
Virat Kohli who is known for his incredible batting skills, has faced tough times in recent red-ball cricket matches. His performance in the New Zealand Test series showed these struggles, where he managed less than 100 runs in the three-match series. Throughout six matches this season, Kohli has made 250 runs, averaging just 22.72.
Despite these challenges, Justin Langer believes Kohli’s comeback will be pivotal for India in the BGT. Speaking to the West Australian, Langer emphasised the importance of Kohli’s and India’s resilience in the series against Australia.
Champion players never fade
Langer stressed that one should never underestimate champion players like Kohli. In India, where cricket is a passion shared by over a billion people, expectations are always high.Speaking to Australian media, Langer said, “One thing you never do is write off champions, and that’s in every sport, because they are a champion for a reason. In India, there are one and a half billion cricket-loving people, and then count all the rest around the world, they expect nothing but excellence, and the team will be under intense pressure, so how they fight back will be important,”. Kohli, known for his exceptional play in Australia, has a terrific record of 1352 runs in 13 matches, averaging 54.08. This track record demonstrates his ability to succeed on Australian soil.
Anticipation for the Series
Langer is eagerly looking forward to the IND vs AUS series, excited to see seasoned players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma in action. He acknowledged the speculation around these players being past their prime but disagreed with the notion. Langer urged fans to appreciate these superstars while they can, as such talents won’t last forever.
He highlighted the importance of having cricket legends like Kohli, Ravi Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah playing their potentially final series in Australia. As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is right around the corner, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli.
