Matthew Hayden backs Virat Kohli to deliver in Australia Tests
What's the story
Former Australian opener, Matthew Hayden, has backed Indian cricketer Virat Kohli to shine in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia. Despite recent worries over Kohli's form, Hayden stressed the Indian star's history of delivering under pressure. The series opener will begin on November 22 in Perth. Notably, India have won each of their last four bilateral Test series against the Australian side.
Key player
Kohli's performance crucial for India's campaign: Hayden
Hayden emphasized on Kohli's significance to India's campaign during a virtual media interaction organized by Cricket Australia. "Naturally, there's got to be that hunger which Virat always brings to any kind of contest," he said. He also stressed on Kohli's experience and success in Australia as key elements for the series. This is particularly important as Rohit Sharma will miss the first Test due to personal reasons.
Impactful player
Kohli's influence extends beyond batting: Hayden
Hayden also stressed that Kohli's influence on the game is much more than just his batting. He said, "A lot of his influence on the game can be seen not just with bat in hand but also the belief in the contest, the belief in his own fitness levels." This highlights Kohli's all-round contribution to cricket and his ability to change India's fortunes in Australia.
Impressive record
Kohli's record in Australia offers hope
Despite a tough year with just 250 runs from six Tests at an average of 22.72, Kohli's phenomenal record in Australia offers a ray of hope. He has scored 1,352 runs from 13 Tests at an average of 54.08, including five centuries. This proves his adaptability to Australian conditions and ability to dominate the opposition, which could be crucial in the upcoming series.