Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: A master of the Australian conditions, will Virat Kohli be able to redeem himself on Australia tour? Virat Kohli has scored 1352 runs from 13 games in Australia.
The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 kicks off on November 22, and all eyes are on the veteran Virat Kohli, whose recent form has left fans and pundits alike wondering if he can rediscover the magic he once showcased on Australian soil. As India prepare to face Australia in the first Test, there’s a fresh set of challenges with regular captain Rohit Sharma pulling out of the series opener to be with his family for the birth of his second child. Kohli finds himself shouldering the responsibility of leading the charge for India at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
Kohli’s legacy down under: Can he keep the flame burning?
Virat Kohli has long been a thorn in the side of Australia bowlers, particularly on their home turf. The aggressive right-hander’s flair and elegant stroke play has made him a fan favourite in Australia, and his arrival at Perth’s Optus ground was met with palpable excitement.
Australia has always been a country where Kohli has excelled, with his brilliant 2014 tour still etched in the minds of cricket fans worldwide. Now, as India set their sights on clinching a third consecutive series win against the Aussies, the pressure on Kohli to deliver is immense. The stage is set for him to make a statement and prove that the “King” still rules, even in the face of recent struggles.
But while his past success in Australia is well documented, the man who once dominated every format of the game has experienced a drop in form, especially in Test cricket. His struggles in recent months, particularly during the New Zealand series, have raised eyebrows, but if there’s one player who can rise to the occasion, it’s Virat Kohli. Despite his lean patch, Kohli’s reputation as a big-game player remains intact. The upcoming series could be his chance for redemption.
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The battle in the nets: Kohli’s calm and composed approach
As India prepare for the gruelling Test series, the net sessions have been a sight to behold. For Kohli, the net sessions in Perth have been methodical and focused. In one of the most significant cricketing arenas in the world, Kohli looked poised and confident, taking on Australia’s fast bowlers with characteristic elegance. His calm demeanour was a stark contrast to the brutal aggression of the Aussie pace attack. It was clear that Kohli wasn’t just going through the motions; he was working on his technique and mindset, trying to rediscover the rhythm that made him one of the finest batters in the world.
Kohli’s body language in the nets suggested he was in no mood for complacency. Despite the recent setbacks, he displayed the focus and commitment that have defined his career. As always, Kohli wasn’t just preparing to bat, but to conquer. Whether it was playing the solid defensive shots or working on his footwork against the spinners, Kohli was putting in the work to ensure that when the real battle began, he would be ready to take on the challenge headfirst.
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The redemption arc: Can Kohli bounce back?
The 2014 tour to Australia is often seen as the defining moment in Virat Kohli’s career. After a disastrous England tour, Kohli made a resounding comeback by scoring 692 runs at an average of 86.50, including four centuries and a fifty, with the best score of 169. Not only did Kohli score heavily, but he also found himself stepping up as India’s captain following MS Dhoni’s surprise retirement midway through the series. This marked the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket. Under Kohli’s leadership, India won 40 Tests and showed marked improvement in overseas conditions.
From 2016 to 2019, Kohli’s form was among the best the game has ever seen, scoring 4,208 runs in 43 Tests, averaging 66.79, with an impressive 16 centuries and 10 fifties. Kohli’s domination reached its peak during this period, including smashing a record seven double centuries—the most by any captain in the history of the game. However, as time passed, the peaks of his career gave way to some valleys.
In 2023, Kohli’s form in international cricket had taken a sharp downturn. In 19 matches across all formats, he only managed 488 runs at an average of 20.33, with a highest score of 76 and just two half-centuries to his name. His Test form, in particular, has been a source of concern. Since 2020, Kohli has averaged just 31.68 in Test matches, with only two centuries in 34 Tests.
In 2024, Kohli’s domestic performances—especially during India’s home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand—were underwhelming, with just 192 runs in 10 innings at an average of 21.33. For the first time in a decade, Kohli found himself outside the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings’ top 20. The pressure is now on the 36-year-old to rediscover his golden touch, especially with the high-stakes Test series against Australia looming.
Kohli vs Australia: A rivalry to remember
Despite his recent struggles, Virat Kohli has historically been a master of the Australian conditions. In 13 Tests played in Australia, he has amassed 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08, with six centuries and four fifties. His highest score on Australian soil is an impressive 169, which continues to be a benchmark for his performances in the country. With the Aussies reeling from their back-to-back series defeats at the hands of India, there’s no doubt that the home side will be itching for revenge. The mind games and sledging will be in full swing, but if there’s one player who can dish it out as much as he takes it, it’s Kohli.
This rivalry has all the ingredients for a thrilling contest, and Kohli’s recent lean patch might just fuel his desire to prove that he is still the best man to lead India in these testing times. With India looking for a historic third consecutive series win in Australia, Kohli will have his chance to remind everyone just why he is one of the best in the business.
Read More: BGT 2024-25, AUS vs IND: Virat Kohli in Australia – Peak excellence with 1352 runs in 13 Tests
