Mike Hesson hails Virat Kohli as India’s driving force for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy

With a lot of chatter around the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, there have been intense talks about how the series might just shape up. With Virat Kohli in the mix, it goes without saying that Team India will be pinning their hopes on the run machine. Even though Kohli’s recent numbers have been slightly shaky and fans have expressed worry, former RCB coach, Mike Hesson, has made it clear that Kohli is cut from an entirely different cloth.

Talking to Jio Cinema, Hesson said, “I think Virat Kohli is at that stage in his career where he just wants to try and win games for India. And I think that's a dangerous stage for other sides, because if he’s doing that rather than focusing on numbers, the big scores will come naturally. The ability to hold a tempo in Australia is so important—being able to counterattack and knowing the right moments to do so. As mentioned, from 30 to 60 overs is a key phase. If Kohli is batting at that point, he won’t let the game drift. It’s about finding gaps, hitting gaps, getting ones and twos, and then, if they try and attack him, then he can counterattack.”

Despite a questionable return to Tests against Bangladesh, he compensated for the first match with a brilliant and breezy 47 in the second Test where India conjured a storm with the bat to defeat Bangladesh in just two days of play. He also scored an unbeaten 29 in the second innings to propel India to a fine win. Australia has always been his wheelhouse and apart from the 2020-21 BGT, he has always gunned for the Aussie bowlers.

Hesson added, “He was in fine touch, and even though he didn’t get big scores against Bangladesh, he looked like he was moving well and getting into good positions. After playing in New Zealand, heading to Australia will suit him, as he thrives in those conditions.”

Kohli has played 13 Test matches in Australia from which he has scored 1352 runs at a brilliant average of 54.08. He has scored six centuries and four half-centuries. His highest score of 169 in Australia still remains as one of the best knocks played by an Indian against the Aussies in the latter’s backyard.

Hesson concluded by shedding light on Virat’s familiarity with the Australian conditions, stating, “He has the game and knows the conditions very well. The discussions he’ll have with younger players will also be crucial in helping them apply their game to challenge the Australians in the best way possible."