"When he’s up, he’s up, and when he’s down, he sort of struggles a little bit" - Glenn McGrath backs Australia to go hard at Virat Kohli
Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath has advised Pat Cummins and company to go hard at Virat Kohli during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series. The ace Indian batter is struggling with form after a disastrous home season and is arguably at a crossroads when it comes to his red-ball career.
Kohli has had some fond memories on Australian soil in the past. He has been able to get under the skin of the opponent, and his past exploits have earned him the Australian media's spotlight. However, given his current form and predicament, many feel Australian bowlers can get the better of him, while on the flip side, the occasion could also drive and stir him up.
McGrath opined that Kohli must be under pressure which could escalate if he starts the series on a poor note.
“Without a doubt, especially after coming off a 3-0 loss against New Zealand, you’ve got plenty of ammunition to back yourself up. So put the pressure on them and see if they’re up for it," McGrath told CODE Sports (via Fox Cricket).
“If they go hard at him, if he gets in the fight with emotions, there’s a bit of chat out there, who knows he might sort of lift. But I think he’s probably under pressure a little bit, and if he has a couple of low scores to start with, he could really feel it. I think he’s quite an emotional player. When he’s up, he’s up, and when he’s down, he sort of struggles a little bit," McGrath said about Kohli.
Kohli holds an average of just 22.73 in Tests this year with a sole fifty to his name. He failed to reach double figures in four of the six outings in the three-match Test series against New Zealand recently.
"It's a very different Virat now, so you can go and have a joke with him" - Usman Khawaja on Virat Kohli
The Australian team's approach against Virat Kohli on the field could be a focal point throughout the five-match series. In the past, the two parties have often squared off against each other in terms of sledging, banter, and comments in the media.
However, the recent affairs have more or less transpired without any major bust-ups, with the mellowed-down version of Kohli choosing to keep matters to himself. The Australian team have done the same as well, not giving the ace batter any chance to get riled up.
"It's a very different Virat now, so you can go and have a joke with him … (but) he still scores runs against you," Usman Khawaja told cricket.com.au recently.
The Border-Gavaskar series is scheduled to begin from November 22 onwards. The first Test will take place at the Optus Stadium in Perth.