As the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy kicks off on November 22, all eyes will be on the clash between India and Australia. Amid the excitement, former Australian captain Michael Clarke has made a bold prediction, identifying Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant as key players for India’s success in the series.
Clarke Highlights Kohli’s Love for Australian Conditions
Clarke heaped praise on Kohli’s exceptional record in Australia, describing it as superior to his performances in India. “Virat Kohli’s record in Australia is phenomenal. I actually think it’s better than what it is in India. He has six hundreds in 13 Tests in Australia,” Clarke said.
He went on to emphasize Kohli’s importance to India’s chances, predicting, “If India are to win this series, Virat Kohli has to be the leading run-scorer, with Rishabh Pant close behind.”
Kohli’s Opportunity to Break Records
Kohli, who has been struggling for form recently, will have the opportunity to not only turn things around but also surpass several milestones. He currently has 1,352 runs in 13 Tests in Australia, averaging an impressive 54.08. With 458 more runs, he can surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 1,809 Test runs in Australia.
Adelaide Oval, in particular, has been a happy hunting ground for Kohli. It was here that he scored his maiden Test century in 2012, smashing 116 runs off 213 balls. Across five matches at the venue, Kohli has accumulated 509 runs at an average of 63.62. Just 102 more runs would see him overtake Brian Lara’s tally of 610 runs to become the highest-scoring visiting batter at this iconic ground.
A Glorious Past in Australia
Kohli also holds the distinction of leading India to their first-ever Test series win in Australia during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Under his captaincy, India clinched memorable victories in Adelaide and Melbourne, securing a 2-1 series win.
Pant’s Role in India’s Campaign
While Clarke’s comments place significant expectations on Kohli, the mention of Rishabh Pant highlights the young wicketkeeper-batter’s potential impact. Known for his fearless batting, Pant will play a crucial role in providing stability and aggression in the middle order.
All Eyes on the Indian Team
As the series draws closer, the spotlight will be on Kohli to rediscover his form and replicate his past success in Australian conditions. With Clarke’s predictions adding to the intrigue, fans will eagerly await to see if Kohli and Pant can lead India to yet another historic triumph Down Under.
