"Virat knows exactly what's going to be planned" - Sanjay Manjrekar on Australia's strategy for Virat Kohli in 2024-25 BGT
Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Virat Kohli will know about Australia's plan to test him outside his off-stump in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy down under. India and Australia will lock horns in a marquee five-match Test series, starting on November 22 in Perth.
Meanwhile, Kohli will enter the series on the back of a poor run of scores in India's recent home series defeat to New Zealand. The 36-year-old scored only 93 runs in the three Tests at a dismal average of 15.50 with a lone half-century.
However, Kohli has historically delivered in Tests down under, evidenced by his sensational average of 54.08.
Speaking about Kohli's matchup against Australia in the upcoming series, Manjrekar told Star Sports:
"Virat knows exactly what's going to be planned. They'll obviously start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mood is. Generally these days he looks to leave balls outside the off-stump and if they have anything that's pitched right up, he'll look to drive."
Despite his incredible overall Test record and the outstanding numbers in Australia, Kohli has endured a massive struggle in the format this year.
The champion batter has scored only 250 runs at an average of 22.72 with a lone half-century in six Tests in 2024.
“Nowadays, they are also trying to cramp him for room and attack his body" - Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar feels cramping Virat Kohli by attacking his body has also yielded success recently for bowling sides.
Despite his struggles against spin in the recent New Zealand series, Kohli's first dismissal in the opening Bengaluru Test was a well-planned delivery on middle stump from pacer William O'Rourke.
The ball bounced more than expected with Kohli inside-edging it straight to leg gully.
"Nowadays, they are also trying to cramp him for room and attack his body because he loves to get forward so much. So that is something New Zealand tried, which is very smart. And then if he is so focused outside off, that typical one of landing a ball on middle stump which Josh Hazlewood would try. So all those methods will be tried by the Australians and Virat Kohli is aware of that," said Manjrekar.
Kohli has scored only two Test centuries in 34 Tests since 2020, with his conversion rate from starts to three-figure scores taking a major dip.
Yet, the veteran batter has often been at his best against the Aussies with eight out of his 29 Test centuries coming against them.