Former wicketkeeper batter Deep Dasgupta is hoping that Virat Kohli will find his aggressive form during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. However, Kohli hasn’t had the best of times in Test cricket this year as he has struggled for runs in the 6 matches that he has played so far. During this time, he scored just 250 runs at an average of just above 22.
Speaking to Indiatoday.in in an exclusive chat, Dasgupta said, “I just hope so. Because, as I said, we’ve seen the best of him when he’s in that mind space—wanting to prove everyone wrong, fired up, combative. Great players love that kind of energy. Look at Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods, or Michael Jordan—athletes from different sports. They thrived on proving people wrong every time they stepped onto the field. I hope Virat finds that same zone because it’s all about finding the right mindset.”
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Speaking about Virat Kohli’s form, Deep Dasgupta said that while he hasn’t been at his best form in recent times, a veteran player like him can turn it up when needed. He also feels that Kohli enjoys playing in Australia and he won’t be surprised if the star batter returns to form during the series as well.
“I think, obviously, the last series—or maybe the last couple of series—wasn’t great by his lofty standards. He’s set such high standards for himself that anything below those can seem disappointing. Especially the New Zealand and Bangladesh series, I think he would have been disappointed with how they went. But listen, there’s a reason these players are called great. They can turn it on when they want to,” he shared.
“He enjoys playing in Australia and against Australia. The pitches suit him, and he thrives in the energy and the combative environment Australia provides. We’ve seen the best of Virat Kohli in those conditions—fired up and combative. That kind of mindset brings out his best performances. So I won’t be surprised if he turns it on this time. It’s a very crucial stage for him—not just from a personal perspective but also from the team’s and fans’ perspectives. And great players like him know how to rise to the occasion,” concluded Deep Dasgupta.
