Cricket

Virat Kohli, India's batting maestro, is poised to make history as he prepares to face Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, commencing on November 22 in Perth. Despite a recent dip in form, Kohli's impressive track record in Australia makes this series an ideal stage for him to rediscover his peak performance and leave an indelible mark on the game.Kohli is on the cusp of several significant milestones during this series. He is just 458 runs away from surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of 1,809 Test runs in Australia, a feat that would solidify his status as India's greatest batter on Australian soil. Additionally, he is within striking distance of becoming the visiting player with the most Test centuries in Australia, currently trailing English legends Jack Hobbs and Wally Hammond by just one century.The Adelaide Oval holds a special place in Kohli's heart, as it is his most successful Australian venue. With 509 runs in four Tests at an average of 63.62, he is just 102 runs away from surpassing Brian Lara's tally of 610 runs and becoming the highest-scoring visiting batter at this iconic ground.Beyond Test cricket, Kohli is also in contention to top the list for most fifty-plus scores in international cricket by a visiting batter in Australia. He currently boasts an impressive 30 fifty-plus scores across all formats, putting him in the running alongside legends Viv Richards and Desmond Haynes.Kohli's consistent performance in Australia extends to overall international runs. He has accumulated 3,426 runs across all formats, putting him 126 runs ahead of Sachin Tendulkar's record of 3,300 runs. He is also aiming to become the first Indian to reach 4,000 international runs on Australian soil, requiring 574 more runs to achieve this milestone.The Adelaide Oval has been particularly kind to Kohli, as he has already notched five centuries at the venue. Scoring another century there wouldn't just make him the first visiting player to reach 1,000 runs at the venue, but also surpass Jack Hobbs' record of five centuries at the MCG.This series will mark Kohli's 100th international match against Australia, likely during the third Test at The Gabba. This achievement would make him the second Indian to reach this milestone, joining the ranks of Sachin Tendulkar who has played 110 matches against the Aussies.Kohli's current tally of 16 centuries against Australia puts him in a strong position to chase down Sachin Tendulkar's record of 20 international centuries against the Aussies.Having faced a challenging year with the bat, scoring just 488 runs in 19 matches across formats at an average of 20.33, Kohli will be eager to use this series as a platform for redemption. Australia has historically been a happy hunting ground for him, and his performance in this series holds the potential to shape not only the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also cement his legacy in Test cricket.

Former Australian pacer Brett Lee has urged Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to reset their approach and focus on technical refinement ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia.Lee emphasized the importance of introspection and a return to basics for the two batters, who have struggled for form in recent Tests. "When you have a couple of bad runs back to back, that's when the pressure gets set in," Lee said. "They've just got to go back to the drawing board."Lee believes that Rohit and Kohli's tendency to be overly aggressive may have contributed to their poor performances. "I can't say there's a technical fault there because I've seen him play for the last decade," Lee said of Rohit. "But maybe he's a little bit too aggressive."Lee also warned that the Australian pacers would be targeting Rohit and Kohli with the new ball. "I can promise you the Australian fast bowlers will be attacking Rohit Sharma with that brand-new ball," he said.Lee advised the Indian batters to work on their technique, freshen up mentally, and hit the ground running in Australia. "They are champions because they do the basics better than anybody else," Lee said. "Then, just hit the reset button, almost."Rohit has managed only 588 runs in 11 Tests this year, while Kohli has accumulated 250 runs in six Tests. Both batters will be under immense scrutiny during the Border-Gavaskar series, which begins in Perth on December 17.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has expressed optimism that Virat Kohli can rediscover his form during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Kohli's recent Test performances have been below par, with only one half-century in the five matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.Shastri believes that composure will be key for Kohli's success in Australia. "Your juices are flowing, you're charged up. It's again a case with Virat. You want to see calmness because at times you are over-eager to get out there and throw the first punch," Shastri said on the ICC Review show.He emphasized the importance of Kohli avoiding rushing his innings. "But I think that calmness in the first half an hour where he gets out to bat or in the first three innings of the series will be extremely important. If he can be calm and play the game at his own pace rather than being in a hurry, I think he'll be fine," Shastri added.Kohli has a strong track record in Australia, with 1352 runs in 13 matches at an average of 54.08. He has also scored six centuries and four fifties in Australia. Shastri expressed confidence in Kohli's ability to perform well in familiar conditions."Well, the King is back in his territory. That's all I will tell them. When you've earned that title after your exploits in Australia, it will be on your (opponent's) mind when you go out to bat," said Shastri.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22nd and will feature five Test matches, marking the first time since 1991/92 that the series will have these many games.

Virat Kohli, the star Indian batter, has been diligently preparing for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia in Perth. A recent video shared by Fox Cricket on Twitter captured Kohli's intense training session, showcasing his unwavering determination ahead of the crucial series.Kohli's presence in Australia has generated immense excitement among fans, who eagerly gathered at the Perth nets to witness their hero in action. The video highlights the lengths fans went to catch a glimpse of the "King," as Fox Cricket aptly described him.Kohli's popularity in Australia has always been evident, with his presence consistently attracting extensive media coverage and high viewership. However, this upcoming series holds immense significance for Kohli, who is facing pressure to regain his best form and secure his place in the Test squad.With younger players emerging and vying for spots in the starting eleven, Kohli's position in the team is under scrutiny. The Australian series presents him with an opportunity to silence critics and prove his worth. Kohli has a history of exceptional performances in Australia, and his supporters are hopeful that he can replicate his past success.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a pivotal moment in Kohli's illustrious career. It is a chance for him to demonstrate his resilience and reaffirm his status as one of the greatest batters of all time. With the eyes of the cricketing world upon him, Kohli is determined to deliver and lead India to victory.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed his delight at the performances of young Indian batters in the T20I format following the retirements of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Kaif believes that the seamless transition under new captain Suryakumar Yadav is a testament to the depth of talent in Indian cricket.After India's T20 World Cup triumph in June, Rohit and Kohli announced their retirements from the format. However, the likes of Abhishek Varma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma have stepped up to fill the void, showcasing their potential on the international stage.In the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, Tilak Varma smashed his maiden T20I century in the third match, while Abhishek Sharma blasted a 25-ball half-century in the second match. Earlier in the series, Samson hammered his second consecutive T20I century, becoming the first Indian batter to achieve this feat.Kaif praised the young batters for their impressive performances in challenging batting conditions in South Africa. He tweeted, "Watching Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson score runs in South Africa's tough batting conditions must be pleasing for Virat and Rohit. When it comes to T20, they have left Indian cricket in safe hands."India's T20I transition has been remarkably smooth since Rohit and Kohli's retirements. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the team has maintained its dominance, defeating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh 3-0 each before heading to South Africa.In the ongoing series against South Africa, India holds a 2-1 lead heading into the final T20I in Johannesburg on Friday. The team's impressive performances have raised hopes of a successful title defense at the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Former Australian leg-spinner Kerry O'Keeffe has predicted that the Australian team will target Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the upcoming Test series. O'Keeffe believes that Australia will try to unsettle Rohit, who is likely to miss the first Test due to the expected birth of his second child, and Kohli, who has been in a recent slump.O'Keeffe told Fox Sports, "Rohit Sharma may miss one or two Tests, but he is the captain, and Australia always tries to torpedo the visiting captain. It's been a tactic they've used forever, and I think they'll go very hard at Rohit Sharma."O'Keeffe also suggested that Kohli is "slightly weaker" due to his recent form and that the Australian team will try to exploit this. "Kohli, who has worried them (Australia) over the years, what a stunning player he's been; but in sport, if you sense that the king of the jungle is slightly weaker, you poke a bit of cheek at him," O'Keeffe said.However, O'Keeffe believes that Kohli's form could be the deciding factor in the outcome of the series. "I'm fascinated to see what Virat Kohli ends up with at the end of the summer. It could be the decisive point in the whole summer. If he has an absolutely blazing series, India could win."Rohit has managed 588 runs in 11 Tests at an average of just 29.40 this year, while Kohli has accumulated 250 runs in six Test at an average of 22.72.India's squad for Border-Gavaskar Series: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar.

Virat Kohli, India's batting mainstay, faces immense pressure as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches. The five-Test series, the first of its kind since 1991-92, will be a crucial test for Kohli, who has struggled for form in recent times.Kohli's average of 22.72 in six matches in 2024 is the lowest of his career. He has managed just one fifty this year, a 70 against New Zealand in the second innings of the first Test at Bengaluru. His last Test century came in July 2023 against the West Indies.Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes the Australians will target Kohli's weakness outside the off-stump. "They'll obviously start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mood is," Manjrekar said. "Generally these days he looks to leave balls outside the off-stump and if they have anything that's pitched right up, he'll look to drive."Manjrekar also expects the Aussies to cramp Kohli for room and attack his body. "Nowadays, they are also trying to cramp him for room and attack his body because he loves to get forward so much," Manjrekar said. "So that is something New Zealand tried, which is very smart. And then if he is so focused outside off, that typical one of landing a ball on middle stump which Josh Hazlewood would try. So all those methods will be tried by the Australians and Virat Kohli is aware of that."Kohli's poor form in the recent Test series against New Zealand, where he scored just 93 runs in three matches, will be a concern for India. The Aussies will be looking to exploit his vulnerability and keep his poor form going.Kohli has played two Tests in Perth, scoring 44 and 75 in the two innings in January 2012 and scoring a century in 2018. India need to win four Tests in Australia to directly qualify for the World Test Championships final, which will be held at Lord's in June 2025.

Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has reignited his feud with India head coach Gautam Gambhir, taking a fresh dig at Gambhir's comments on Ponting's assessment of Virat Kohli's recent form.Ponting had expressed concern over Kohli's batting struggles ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, prompting Gambhir to advise Ponting to focus on Australian cricket. Ponting responded by calling Gambhir a "prickly character," and now he has suggested that Gambhir's reaction was influenced by India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand.Speaking on the podcast show "The Run Home with Joel & Fletch," Ponting clarified his remarks about Kohli but couldn't resist taking another jab at Gambhir."I'm not sure if I mentioned a couple of them, but I reckon he's just throwing me in the deep end, trying to find their two most experienced and make sure when they come out, they put that back on me," Ponting said.Ponting maintained that his comments were not presented in their entirety and believes Gambhir misinterpreted them, reacting after the loss against New Zealand."I was asked the other night if I was concerned about Virat Kohli's form. A day before, I had read his stats from the last five years, so it was clear in my mind. I think he made only two (three) centuries in the last five years. His average in India is now down to 30 from 90, during this period. So yes, I would be concerned. And I said if you ask him about his form, he would be concerned because it is nowhere near what it used to be. But then I said since he loves playing in Australia and has a great record here, so if there ever was a tour where he could turn things around, it would be this.""But they never talked about the second part. Then Gambhir went and faced the press having just lost against New Zealand. The hair on the back of his neck is already standing up. We got a bit of history as well, but he took a chance to fire back at me," he added.Ponting's comments have further escalated the ongoing feud between the two former cricketers, adding another layer to the rivalry between Australia and India.

Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have faced intense scrutiny following their underwhelming performances in the Test series against New Zealand. The duo's struggles with the bat contributed to India's humiliating 0-3 defeat at home.Despite the criticism, former BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma has defended the two batters, highlighting their significant contributions to Indian cricket. Sharma expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back and perform well against Australia."Let's honor and respect what Rohit and Virat have done for the country," Sharma said. "They are never out of form. They are still doing it. Just wait and watch what Rohit and Virat do in Australia. They will dazzle with their bats."India head coach Gautam Gambhir also came to the defense of Kohli and Sharma, criticizing former Australian captain Ricky Ponting for questioning Kohli's place in the Test team. Gambhir emphasized the duo's passion for the game and their desire to achieve more."What does Ricky Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?" Gambhir asked. "Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still passionate about the game and want to achieve more. They are hungry for success and have done exceptionally well for the country over the years."Kohli and Sharma's poor form in the New Zealand series has raised concerns about their future in the Test team. However, Sharma and Gambhir's support suggests that the duo still has the backing of the selectors and the coaching staff.It remains to be seen whether Kohli and Sharma can regain their form and lead India to success in the upcoming Test series against Australia. Their performances will be closely scrutinized as they look to prove their worth and silence their critics.