Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull believes Virat Kohli‘s difficulties in the current Test series against New Zealand will not impact his performance in Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While acknowledging Kohli’s struggles against New Zealand’s spinners, Doull noted that Australia is unlikely to present spin-friendly conditions.
Kohli has scored 0, 70, 1, and 17 in the first two Tests against New Zealand, getting out to spinners in his last three innings. His issues with spin bowling, particularly at home, are well-known.
Despite concerns about his form, Doull thinks the experienced batter will perform differently in the upcoming Test series in Australia. He shared his thoughts with the PTI news agency.
“There are issues against spin but he is not the only one. You are not going to find those (spin-friendly) conditions in Australia. He (Kohli) had a great series Down Under. He plays quick bowling as well as he has for the last four or five years. So, I don’t think it’s a concern.”
Reflecting on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the 55-year-old emphasized that India needs to win the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai to approach Australia with a level of confidence.
“They have to forget about this series. They could go out and win the third Test in Wankhede and go to Australia with a little bit more confidence. In Australia, quick bowlers will be required. India batters, I think, will be a lot better off on good surfaces. That’s what you tend to get in Australia,” the former Kiwi pacer said.
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The third Test between India and New Zealand will take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from November 1 to 5. The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy will kick off in Perth on November 22.
Virat Kohli’s Test record in Australia
Despite his underwhelming performances at home against New Zealand, Kohli is expected to be one of India’s key batsmen in the upcoming five-match Test series in Australia. Analyzing his performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy down under, the 35-year-old has played 13 Tests, scoring 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08, including six centuries and four half-centuries.
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Kohli amassed 300 runs in eight innings during the 2011-12 tour of Australia. He had an outstanding series in 2014-15, accumulating 692 runs in eight innings, including four centuries. In the 2018-19 tour, he scored 282 runs in seven innings and made 78 runs in the Adelaide Test of 2020-21.
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