As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, starting November 22 in Perth, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed confidence in Virat Kohli’s ability to rediscover his form in Australia. Despite Kohli’s recent struggles with the bat, Ganguly believes the series provides the perfect platform for the Indian batting maestro to silence critics and reaffirm his dominance.
Kohli’s Struggles and His Stellar Record Down Under
Kohli’s performance in 2023 has been underwhelming, with just 250 runs in 12 Test innings across six matches at an average of 22.72, and no centuries to his name. His home Test season was particularly disappointing, where he managed only 192 runs in 10 innings at an average of 21.33, with just one half-century.
However, Kohli has historically thrived in Australian conditions. In 13 Tests Down Under, he has amassed 1,352 runs at an impressive average of 54.08, including six centuries. Ganguly highlighted Kohli’s past successes, saying, “He is a champion batter. He scored four hundreds in 2014 and another in 2018. He knows how to succeed in Australia and will want to make this series count, especially since it could be his last Test tour there.”
A Look Back: Kohli’s Dominance in Australia
Kohli’s exploits in Australia are the stuff of legend. In the 2014 series, a then-25-year-old Kohli showcased his brilliance, scoring 692 runs across four matches and going toe-to-toe with Steve Smith. Although India lost the series 2-0, Kohli’s performances stood out, demonstrating his ability to thrive in challenging conditions.
Overall, Kohli has scored over 2,000 runs in 25 Tests against Australia, including eight centuries. His love for batting against the Aussies is well-documented, making him a vital player for India in the upcoming series.
Ganguly Unfazed by Kohli’s Recent Dip
Kohli’s recent struggles, particularly against spin during the New Zealand series, have raised concerns. But Ganguly remains optimistic, attributing his poor form to difficult batting conditions.
“I don’t want to overanalyze the New Zealand series. The pitches there were not conducive for batting. In Australia, he will enjoy better conditions, and I’m confident he will deliver in this series,” Ganguly said.
A Crucial Series for Kohli
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy presents a critical opportunity for Kohli to turn his form around and possibly cap off his final Test series in Australia with a memorable performance. As Ganguly aptly put it, this series is “massive” for Kohli, and fans will be hoping for the iconic batter to rise to the occasion once again.
