NEW DELHI: Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli opened up about Australia’s approach to Test cricket in anticipation of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scheduled to begin on November 22nd in Perth.
Kohli resonated the competitive spirit ingrained within the Australian team, stressing their collective understanding of the game and their individual roles within the team structure.
“I think I can understand that mindset properly that they are so competetive that all the 11 players on the same page and they know what to do do and when. Seeing this, my motivation increase as they are so aware and their skill set is so high that I have to elevate my game in order to defeat them,” said Kohli in a video posted by Star Sports.
The upcoming series marks another chapter in the storied rivalry between India and Australia.
India enters the series having won the previous four encounters, including two consecutive series victories in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21).
This dominant run has shifted the overall series record in India’s favour, with 10 victories compared to Australia’s five.
Notably, Australia’s last series win against India dates back to 2014-15, with their last victory on Indian soil occurring in 2004-05.
The five-match series will commence at Perth’s Optus Stadium before moving to Adelaide Oval for the second Test, featuring the excitement of day-night cricket under lights.
The Gabba in Brisbane will host the third Test, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, promising a captivating conclusion to the highly anticipated contest.
India recently announced their squad for the tour, with Rohit Sharma captaining the side and Jasprit Bumrah serving as his deputy.
The absence of experienced pacer Mohammed Shami from the squad raised eyebrows, prompting discussions about India’s bowling attack strategy for the series.
The squad features a blend of experience and youth, with established names like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ravichandran Ashwin being joined by emerging talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan.