"Big players often lose concentration against weak teams" - Basit Ali on Virat Kohli's twin failures in IND vs BAN 2024 1st TestÂ
Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has backed Team India batter Virat Kohli to roar back to form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia later this year. The 35-year-old failed to get going in the Men in Blue's recently concluded Test series opener against Bangladesh, registering scores of 6 and 17.
Baist opined that big players often lose concentration while playing against weaker opponents. Backing the former India captain to turn things around in the five-match away Test series against Australia, he said in his latest YouTube video:
"Virat will return to form against Australia. He will like the pacy wickets in Australia. Big players often lose concentration against weak teams but they do well against tougher oppositions."
Virat Kohli was caught behind in the Test series opener against Bangladesh while chasing a full delivery outside the off stump. He was adjudged LBW by the on-field umpire in the subsequent essay. While the seasoned campaigner opted against taking the DRS, replays suggested that the ball had taken the inside edge of his bat before hitting the pad.
Team India completed a stunning 280-run victory in the Chennai Test to go 1-0 up in the two-match series. Ravichandran Ashwin was adjudged the Player of the Match for his 113-run knock with the bat and a six-wicket haul with the ball. The second and final Test of the series will be played in Kanpur from Friday, September 27.
"India won't allow Australia to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy" - Basit Ali
India have been invincible at home in red-ball cricket for over a decade, not having lost a Test series on home soil since 2012. Basit Ali pointed out that the team's domination hasn't been limited to home assignment, pointing out the side's back-to-back Test series triumphs in Australia.
Predicting that India will beat Australia yet again in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under, Basit said in the same video:
"People say India win at home but they have won two series in Australia as well. India won't allow Australia to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year as well."
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia will kick off in Perth on November 22.