Cricket

Virat Kohli Faces Pressure in Upcoming Test Series Against AustraliaFormer Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes that the upcoming Test series against Australia could put significant pressure on Indian batsman Virat Kohli. India and Australia will face off in a five-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22nd in Perth. India enters the series having won the last four encounters, but a recent 3-0 loss to New Zealand raises questions about their current form.Kohli, a linchpin of the Indian batting lineup for over a decade, has experienced a recent dip in form, averaging just 22.72 in six Test matches this year. With injuries potentially sidelining key batsmen Shubman Gill and captain Rohit Sharma, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on Kohli's performance.McGrath suggests that Australia will be looking to exploit any vulnerability, stating, "So put the pressure on them and see if they're up for it." While Kohli boasts an impressive average of 54.08 in his previous four tours of Australia, McGrath believes the Indian batsman's emotional nature could be a factor in the upcoming series."I think he's probably under pressure a little bit, and if he has a couple of low scores to start with, he could really feel it. I think he's quite an emotional player. When he's up, he's up, and when he's down, he sort of struggles a little bit," McGrath added.Kohli's recent form has been a cause for concern for Indian fans, and McGrath's comments will only add to the pressure on the star batsman. India will need Kohli to be at his best if they are to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Virat Kohli Urges Fans to Embrace Positivity on Social MediaIn the era of social media, where fame and popularity come at a price, cricketers like Virat Kohli have faced unwarranted criticism and negativity online. However, in a recent video message, Kohli has appealed to fans to use social media for good and maintain a positive mindset."Use all your gadgets and use them positively," Kohli said. "You all have access to social media, use it for good things and keep a good positive mindset. Your gadgets give you access to gather information, but look at the world with a positive mindset. There should be no trolling, no negativity, no making fun of people, don't feed off negative things and if you keep a positive mindset, you will be rewarded accordingly."Kohli's message comes amidst his ongoing struggles with form. The former India captain has averaged a mere 22.72 in six matches in 2024, the lowest in his career. His last Test century came in July 2023 against the West Indies.As India prepares for the first Test against Australia in Perth on November 22, Kohli will be hoping to rediscover his batting prowess. He has played two Tests in Perth, scoring 44 and 75 in 2012 and becoming the first batsman to score a Test hundred at the new Perth stadium in 2018.India needs to win four Tests in Australia to qualify directly for the World Test Championships final scheduled for Lord's in June 2025. Kohli's return to form will be crucial for India's chances of achieving this goal.

Tilak Varma, the rising star of Indian cricket, has etched his name in the record books by surpassing the legendary Virat Kohli's record for the most runs scored by an Indian player in a T20I bilateral series. Varma achieved this remarkable feat during the fourth and final T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg.Varma's performance was nothing short of extraordinary. He smashed an unbeaten 120 runs off just 47 balls, including nine fours and 10 sixes, at an astonishing strike rate of 255.32. This blistering knock followed his century in the previous match, making him the top run-scorer of the series.Varma's tally of 280 runs in four matches at an average of 140 and a strike rate exceeding 198, with two centuries to his name, is a testament to his exceptional talent. He surpassed Kohli's previous record of 231 runs in a five-match series against England.In the match, India won the toss and elected to bat first. After Abhishek Sharma's quickfire 36 off 18 balls, Varma and Sanju Samson (109* off 56 balls) unleashed a batting masterclass. Their unbeaten 210-run partnership propelled India to a mammoth total of 283/1.South Africa's chase was derailed by the scoreboard pressure. Apart from Tristan Stubbs (43 off 29 balls) and David Miller (36 off 27 balls), no other batter made a significant contribution. South Africa was bowled out for 148 runs in 18.2 overs, suffering their largest-ever defeat in T20Is by a margin of 135 runs.Arshdeep Singh was India's standout bowler, claiming 3/20. Varun Chakravarty and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each, while Ravi Bishnoi, Ramandeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya chipped in with a wicket apiece.Tilak Varma's exceptional performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award. His record-breaking feat is a testament to his immense talent and the bright future that lies ahead for him in Indian cricket.

Former Australian cricketers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden have come to the defense of their teammate Ricky Ponting after India head coach Gautam Gambhir criticized Ponting's comments on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's form ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Gilchrist and Hayden emphasized the importance of open discussions and the role of commentary in cricket, countering Gambhir's assertion that Ponting should focus solely on Australian cricket."Punter can comment on anything he wants. I think he has earned the right to comment on most aspects of cricket. I love this, this is going to get the popcorn out for the rest of the summer," said Gilchrist on the Club Prairie Fire podcast.Hayden echoed Gilchrist's sentiments, stating that commentators are paid to provide their opinions and insights on the game. "We are paid to make an opinion, make a comment and make a call about the game we know and love," he said.Kohli's recent form has been a cause for concern, with the Indian batter struggling to score runs consistently. In 2024, he has managed just 488 runs in 25 innings across formats, averaging 20.33. His performances in home Tests have been particularly disappointing, with only one half-century in five matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.Rohit Sharma has also faced criticism for his inability to deliver under pressure in critical games. In the three-Test series against New Zealand, which India lost 0-3, Sharma scored 91 runs, slightly outpacing Kohli's 93 runs.India's upcoming five-Test series against Australia, beginning on November 22, is crucial for their qualification hopes for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. India is currently ranked second in the WTC points table, and strong performances in this series are essential to maintain their position.

Virat Kohli's recent batting struggles have become a major talking point ahead of India's upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against Australia. The former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the Australian pacers will target Kohli from the outset, given his lean patch in 2024.Kohli has managed only 488 runs in 25 innings across 19 international matches this year, averaging a meager 20.33. His Test numbers in the lead-up to the BGT have been equally dismal, with just 93 runs in three Tests against New Zealand and 99 runs in two Tests against Bangladesh.Manjrekar believes that the Australian bowlers will exploit Kohli's tendency to leave balls outside the off-stump and drive anything pitched up. They will also try to cramp him for room and attack his body, a tactic that New Zealand employed successfully."Virat knows exactly what's going to be planned," Manjrekar said. "They'll start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mood is. These days he looks to leave balls outside the off-stump and if they have anything that is pitched right up, he will look to drive.""Nowadays, they are also trying to cramp him for room and attack his body because he loves to get forward so much. So that is something New Zealand tried, which is very smart. And then if he is so focused outside off, that typical one (plan) of landing a ball on the middle stump, which Josh Hazlewood would try," he added.Kohli's form will be crucial to India's chances of retaining the BGT and qualifying for the World Test Championship final. The visitors need to win four of the five Tests Down Under, a daunting task that will require a significant contribution from their star batsman.

Amidst concerns over his form, former India captain Virat Kohli took the field on Friday for a match simulation ahead of the 1st Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium. Just a day after undergoing scans, the legendary batter scored 15 runs in the first innings of the simulation match at the WACA Ground in Perth.According to a report in the Times of India, Kohli batted without any discomfort despite undergoing a scan on Thursday. However, the report couldn't clarify the reason behind Kohli's injury scare."Virat Kohli is absolutely fine. He batted in the match simulation without any discomfort and also had a hit in the net after he got out. No concerns there," the report quoted a source as saying.KL Rahul, who is tipped to open in Perth Test in the absence for captain Rohit Sharma, was hit by a ball in the match simulation and couldn't bat any further. However, the report added that "there are no major concerns there as well".After being dismissed, Kohli also took throwdowns on the sidelines of the simulation match. Not only that, he also came out to bat for the second time in the match, scoring an unbeaten 30 before leaving the field.The Indian batters, in general, struggled against the bowlers in the match simulation. Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Kumar Reddy troubled the Indian batters, including Kohli and Rishabh Pant.While Kohli left the field unbeaten on 30, Pant was castled for the second time in the day.The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia kicks off on November 22, with the first Test at Perth. The second Test, featuring the day-night format, will take place under lights at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. Fans will then turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18.The traditional Boxing Day Test, scheduled from December 26 to 30 at Melbourne's iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, will mark the series' penultimate stage. The fifth and final Test will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, promising an exciting climax to a highly anticipated series.

Virat Kohli, the enigmatic Indian batter, has arrived in Australia for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite his recent form struggles, the Australian media has accorded him a grand reception, recognizing his enduring status as a cricketing icon.Various Australian newspapers, including The West Australian and Sydney Morning Herald, have prominently featured Kohli on their front pages. However, their coverage has been a curious blend of admiration and scrutiny. While acknowledging Kohli's past brilliance, they have also highlighted his recent performance dip.The Sydney Morning Herald's front-page image of Kohli, captioned "A Heavy Crown," captures the duality of his current situation. The publication notes that Kohli's form has waned in recent years, particularly in Test cricket. Since 2020, he has averaged a modest 31.68, a far cry from his peak years between 2016 and 2019, when he averaged an astonishing 66.79.Kohli's struggles were evident in India's recent home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, where he managed only 192 runs in 10 innings. This poor performance saw him drop out of the ICC Men's Test batting rankings Top 20 for the first time in a decade.Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains a formidable force in Test cricket. His career average of 47.83 is a testament to his exceptional talent. Moreover, he has a remarkable record against Australia on their home turf, averaging 54.08 in 13 matches.The Australian media's intense focus on Kohli is a reflection of his enduring popularity and the high stakes of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli will be eager to prove that he is still a world-class batter, while Australia will be determined to exploit his recent vulnerabilities. The series promises to be a fascinating contest between one of the greatest batters of all time and a formidable Australian team.

Virat Kohli's Test Dominance in Australia Earns Him Unparalleled RespectIn the lead-up to the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has shed light on the immense respect Virat Kohli commands in Australia, attributing it to his remarkable performances in Test matches on Australian soil.Chopra believes that Test cricket holds a special place in Australia, and dominating in this format is the ultimate way to earn respect. He emphasized that Kohli's stellar Test record in Australia, with 1,352 runs at an impressive average of 54.08, has made him a celebrated figure among Australian fans and media alike.Chopra dismissed any suggestion that the hype surrounding Kohli is a result of media manipulation, stating that Kohli has "commanded" respect, not demanded it. He explained that Kohli's ability to conquer challenging Australian grounds and decimate their team has earned him the admiration of the Australian public.Chopra contrasted Kohli's achievements with those of current India captain Rohit Sharma, pointing out that despite Rohit's greatness in limited-overs cricket, especially against Australia, he hasn't had the same impact in Test matches Down Under. Rohit has scored 408 runs at an average of 31.38 in 14 Test innings in Australia, without a century to his name.Chopra also noted that the widespread recognition of Kohli is reminiscent of the respect shown to Sachin Tendulkar in Australia, where his Test exploits earned him lasting admiration. He emphasized that to earn respect in Australia and England, players must perform exceptionally in Test matches, and Kohli has undoubtedly achieved this.

Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar believes that Virat Kohli has the experience and ability to overcome his recent batting struggles and perform well in the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia.Kohli has been in poor form with the bat, scoring just 93 runs in six innings during India's recent 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand at home. However, Gavaskar is confident that Kohli will turn things around, especially considering his exceptional record in Australia."Yes, I do [believe he will turn things around]," Gavaskar said in an interview with Star Sports. "That's because he hasn't got runs against New Zealand. He'll be very, very hungry."Kohli has a strong record in Australia, having scored 1352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08. He has also scored six centuries and four fifties Down Under."Even in that Adelaide Test match, where in the second innings we got out for 36, in the first innings, Kohli had got 70 plus if I recall correctly," Gavaskar said. "So, all the times he has played in Adelaide, he has got runs."Gavaskar suggested that if Kohli can survive the initial few balls of his innings and calm his nerves, he will be able to score big runs."Before Adelaide, it's Perth. He got one of the finest centuries at Perth in 2018-19. Terrific, terrific 100," Gavaskar said. "So, when you have got runs under your belt on certain grounds, you just feel a little bit confident."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series kicks off on November 22 with the first Test in Perth. The second Test, a day-night affair, is scheduled from December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval. The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18.The traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground is set for December 26 to 30, followed by the fifth and final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.