As the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has shared his thoughts on the potential impact of pressure on Indian cricket star Virat Kohli. McGrath believes that Kohli’s recent struggles with form could significantly affect India’s chances in the upcoming series against Australia.
SOURCE : ZEE
In an exclusive interview with CODE Sports, McGrath described Kohli as an “emotional” player who thrives when in form but can struggle when the pressure mounts. “If Australia goes hard at him, and if he gets into a battle fueled by emotions, he might find that spark to lift his game,” McGrath stated. “But if he starts with a few low scores, it could really affect him. He’s an emotional player; when he’s up, he’s up, but when he’s down, he tends to struggle a bit”2.
Source:- bbc news
Kohli, who has been India’s batting mainstay for over a decade, has faced a challenging year in Test cricket. In the six matches he has played this year, he has averaged just 22.72, with only one fifty to his name. His recent performance in the home Test series against New Zealand was particularly concerning, as he failed to cross double digits in four out of six innings3.
McGrath emphasized the importance of targeting Kohli early in the series to test his mental resilience. He believes that Australia’s bowlers can get under Kohli’s skin, especially if they manage to dismiss him cheaply in the first couple of Tests. “If they go hard at him, if he gets in the fight with emotions, there’s a bit of chat out there, who knows he might sort of lift,” McGrath added3.
The former Australian pacer also highlighted the significance of India’s recent 0-3 series whitewash at home against New Zealand. McGrath noted that this unexpected defeat has raised questions about India’s readiness for the challenging conditions in Australia. “Coming off a 3-0 loss against New Zealand, India is already on shaky ground,” McGrath noted. “Australia has plenty of ammunition and momentum. If they put the pressure on India, we’ll see whether they’re up for the challenge”2.
Despite his recent struggles, Kohli has historically performed well in Australia. The 36-year-old has an impressive average of 54.08 in the four Australia tours he has been a part of, showcasing his ability to score big runs in challenging conditions. However, McGrath warned that targeting Kohli aggressively could also lift him, especially if he manages to keep his emotions in check4.
As India prepares for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to begin on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, all eyes will be on Kohli to see if he can overcome the pressure and lead his team to victory. The series will be a true test of India’s resilience and determination, and Kohli’s performance will be crucial to their success.
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