"If I was Australia, I’d be really nice to him and tell him how great he looks"- Steve Waugh's offbeat advice to limit Virat Kohli in BGT 2024-25
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has advised the hosts to go unconventional by being more friendly to restrict ace batter Virat Kohli's impact in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. With the highly anticipated five Tests underway, all eyes are on Kohli and his battle with the Australian players.
The 36-year-old has been in dismal form in Tests, coming off a home series against New Zealand where he averaged under 16 in three games. Yet, Kohli has historically thrived in Test matches in Australia, averaging a stellar 54.08 in 13 outings with six centuries.
Waugh told SEN about Kohli ahead of the first Test in Perth:
"I think what Australia should do is be nice and friendly to him, as friendly as they possibly can be. I watched him against New Zealand and I was shocked by how friendly he was with his own team, with the opposition, laughing and joking and relaxing. He didn’t seem to be himself. If I was Australia, I’d be really nice to him and tell him how great he looks and how much I’m looking forward to playing against him."
After years of disappointment for India in Australia, Kohli became the first Indian captain to lead his side to a Test series win down under in 2018-19.
The champion cricketer also led India in the first Test of the 2020-21 series before leaving home for personal reasons. However, Team India took to Kohli's fighting personality and completed a historic 2-1 series win to make it back-to-back Test series victories in Australia.
"If you go hard at him, you might prod the hornet's nest and he might come out firing" - Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh felt Virat Kohli prefers to be gone hard after by his opponents to be on the edge and come out firing.
The veteran batter has gone at it verbally with the Aussies for over a decade and often comes out on the right side of the tussle.
"I think he's a player who needs to play on the edge, be aggressive, get in a bit of a battle, and almost get in a fight to play his best. He’s a bit like Steve Smith. Everytime you write these guys off, that’s what they want and they come out firing. I think if you go hard at him, you might prod the hornet's nest and he might come out firing. He's a world class player and he'll be looking forward to the challenge of coming out here," said Waugh.
Kohli has scored over 2,000 runs against Australia in Tests with a healthy average of 47.48, including eight centuries in 25 matches.
Meanwhile, the first Test of the marquee 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is underway with India winning the toss and electing to bat first in Perth.