"If that's not working, body bash" - Ian Healy advises Australian quicks on tactics against Virat Kohli in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Ian Healy is eager to see how the fast bowlers go against Virat Kohli in the upcoming five-Test series against India. The Queenslander has urged the Australian quicks to target Kohli's front pad first and that the second plan should be to bowl short.
Despite Kohli's dipping returns in the last five years, Australia will remain wary due to his past exploits Down Under. The right-handed batter averages a healthy 54.08 from 13 Tests in Australia with 1392 runs, alongside a best of 169. During the 2018-19 leg, he became the first Indian to captain the country to a series win in Australia.
Speaking on SENQ Breakfast, Healy urged the hosts to exploit any little insecurity over Kohli's form. He said:
"The first matchup I'm looking at is how our quicks can bowl to Virat Kohli, and I think they should target his front pad quite often. He sits that front foot there and he can play from anywhere - he can play square on the off-side, he can whip onto the leg-side or he can rock back … but they’ve got to look for any sort of insecurity in his form and maybe target that front pad. But don't do it every ball because he’ll get used to it."
"If that's not working, body bash. Bowl at the back armpit, that’s the right arm as a right-handed batsman … and it’s got to be hot. Have him jumping at times if he wants to ride those deliveries - ducking, weaving or bending backwards," he added.
The 36-year-old is coming off a barren run against New Zealand, managing only 93 runs in six innings as India lost the series 3-0. However, India have beaten Australia in the last four series, including two away ones.
"If you need a bumper, it’s got to go at the badge" - Ian Healy
The 60-year-old has also urged Australia to keep attacking fields for Kohli and that the short balls to him must be perfectly directed. Healy added in the same interview:
"Get that short leg position right next to him on the leg side and if you need a bumper, it’s got to go at the badge. He might try to bust out of a hard spell with a hook shot or pull shot and that will be hard to control if it's badge height. So that's the second tactic, body bashing."
The opening Test between India and Australia begins on November 22 in Perth.