"Well, the King is back in his territory. That's all I will tell them"- Ravi Shastri sends message to Virat Kohli's critics ahead of 2024-25 BGT
Former Indian all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri warned Virat Kohli's doubters by reminding them of the ace batter's past heroics in Australia ahead of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy down under. Kohli has endured a torrid run of form with the bat in Tests, averaging a dismal 22.72 in six outings this year.
The 36-year-old hit rock bottom in India's recent 0-3 home Test series defeat to New Zealand, averaging under 16 with a lone half-century. Yet, Kohli has historically saved his best for the Australian conditions against the mighty Aussies.
Speaking to the ICC, Shastri reminded Kohli's critics about the same by saying:
"Well, the King is back in his territory. That's all I will tell them. When you've earned that title after your exploits in Australia, it will be on your (opponent's) mind when you go out to bat."
Shastri, however, warned Kohli to be watchful in the initial stages of his innings during the upcoming Australia series.
"Your juices are flowing, you're charged up. It's again a case with Virat. You want to see calmness because at times you are overeager to get out there and throw the first punch. But I think that calmness in the first half an hour where he gets out to bat or in the first three innings of the series will be extremely important. If he can be calm and play the game at his own pace rather than being in a hurry, I think he'll be fine," he said.
Kohli's Test average of 54.08 in Australia is his best in any country outside India. The champion batter has scored six of his 15 away Test centuries down under, including four in the 2014-15 tour.
Virat Kohli was the first Indian captain to lead India to a Test series win in Australia
The run-scoring aside, Virat Kohli became the first Indian captain to lead the side to a Test series win in Australia in 2018-19. After running Australia close in the previous tour in 2014/15 before falling short 0-2, Team India was on a mission from the get-go under Kohli's inspired leadership.
The side won a thriller in the series opener in Adelaide by 31 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-four affair. As expected, the hosts bounced back in style to complete a 146-run victory in the second Test to level the series 1-1.
However, Kohli's Men were not to be denied on this occasion as they dominated the Australians in the next two matches. They won the crucial third Test by a massive 137 runs in Melbourne to take an unassailable 2-1 series lead.
The domination continued in the final Test at Sydney before bad weather intervened and forced a drawn result. Nevertheless, India put behind all their miseries from previous tours down under and completed a 2-1 series win.