"That is what I would like to see from everybody else" - Sunil Gavaskar praises Virat Kohli's commitment after 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test
Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar praised Virat Kohli for his dedication to hitting the nets immediately after the conclusion of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide. Kohli endured a forgettable outing with scores of 7 and 11 as India suffered a 10-wicket defeat to Australia.
The champion batter had been in dismal form in Tests coming into the Australia series with only the lone half-century in six matches this year. However, he overcame the drought with a brilliant century in the second innings of the opening Test in Perth, helping India pull off a 295-run win.
Speaking to the broadcasters post-game, Gavaskar called on Kohli's teammates to show similar dedication.
"By going out in the nets today, shows his dedication. But that is what I would like to see from everybody else. He's not scored runs. He is very proud of what he achieves and does for India, and because he's not scored runs in this game, he's out in the nets."
"He's (Kohli) working hard, he's sweating, and that is what you want to see. After that if you get out, no problem, because that's what sport is all about. You will get runs one day, will get wickets one day, next day you will not. But you've got to put in the effort. He is putting in the hard yards, he is putting in the effort, and that's why I won't be surprised if he's back amongst the runs in the next game," he added.
The Adelaide defeat was India's first in Tests Down Under since the 2020-21 series opener.
"You can't be sitting in your hotel room" - Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar urged the Indian players to use the additional time due to the early end of the Adelaide Test for practice.
With a quick four-day turnaround scheduled between the second and third Tests, the Adelaide Test, ending in under three days, provides the teams with additional time between games.
In an interview with India Today following the second Test, Gavaskar was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports:
"Look at the remainder of the series as a three-match series. Forget it was a five-Test series. What I would like this Indian team to do is use the next couple of days for practice. It's very important. You can't be sitting in your hotel room or wherever you're going because you have come here to play cricket."
With the series level at 1-1, the all-important third Test begins in Brisbane on Saturday, December 14.