“Jaise Sachin ne double century banayi” - Sunil Gavaskar’s advice for Virat Kohli ahead of BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that Virat Kohli should take inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar’s masterclass in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2004. The reaction came as Kohli departed for 7 and 11 in the second Test in Adelaide, where the tourists lost by 10 wickets.
Gavaskar shared how Tendulkar was facing similar issues with the bat outside off stump but made adjustments and scored a blistering unbeaten 241 in the Sydney Test. The cricketer-turned-commentator reckoned that if Kohli can do the same things, he can score a bulk of runs in the remaining three Tests Down Under.
Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports:
“For example – What Sachin Tendulkar did in Sydney? He was getting outside the off-stump in his previous three Test matches. He was getting out in the covers and slips. He didn’t play a single cover drive. He only played towards mid-off and mid-on and went on to score 241.
"Just keep control on yourself, that ‘I am not going to play there [off stump line]’. Jaise Sachin ne double century banayi waise Kohli bhi bana sakte hain (So, like Sachin scored his double century, similarly Kohli can do it as well).”
He added:
“The approach should be that if you aren’t set at the start, don’t go outside and have lunch. In Adelaide, he played a shot that went over the top after he had lunch.
"Australia fielders must have seen that, when he came back to play in the second innings, they placed a fielder there. He needs to control that. If he can play in the front, he has a good bottom hand, he can hit towards mid-wicket, mid-on and straight if he can concentrate there."
Virat Kohli has notably been dismissed thrice caught behind in the ongoing five-game Test series so far. The right-handed batter has been dismissed caught behind 42 times in his career which accounts for 21.9 percent of his dismissals in Tests.
“He refused to play a cover drive” – When Ex-Australia captain hailed Sachin Tendulkar's 241 masterclass in Sydney
Former Australia captain Steve Waugh, in an old interview, lauded Sachin Tendulkar for his 241-run knock. He told via cricket.com.au (via Hindustan Times):
“We did think for a while that he had a weakness with the ball coming back in through the gate driving on the up. We got him out a couple of times so maybe we could get him out playing the cover drive.”
“That was our plan in Sydney and he refused to play a cover drive and got 241 not out. So, it just shows he can adapt his game and overcome the plans of the opposition,” he added.
Meanwhile, the third Test between India and Australia will be played in Brisbane from December 14.