The anticipation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy is building up with each passing day, and the verbal exchanges between the two teams have already begun. The Australian camp, known for its strategic mind games, has turned the spotlight on Virat Kohli. Australian stars Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith have singled out Kohli as the player to watch in the series, even suggesting that he embodies an “Australian mindset” in his approach to the game.
Australia has a history of attempting to dominate their opponents both on and off the field, often using mind games as a psychological tactic. This time, it seems they are gearing up to face a familiar adversary in Kohli. His fiery leadership style and aggressive demeanor on the field have drawn comparisons to Australian cricketers, who are known for their fierce competitiveness.
Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, India scripted history by winning a Test series on Australian soil for the first time in 2018-19, a feat that was hailed as a transformative moment in Indian cricket.
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Mitchell Starc, in an interview with Star Sports, acknowledged Kohli’s fearless approach to the game, stating, “I believe Virat Kohli is probably the most Australian-like in terms of his desire to perform in big games. The way he takes on the game, the way he thinks about the game. He loves getting into the contest, which I think a lot of Australian players do.”
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Echoing Starc’s sentiments, Steve Smith added, “I believe Virat Kohli is Australian in both thought and action. The way he gets into a battle, the way he embraces the challenge, and tries to get on top of the opposition. He’s probably the most Australian of the Indian players, I’d say.”
India’s tour of Australia kicks off with the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on November 22. The five-match series promises to be a gruelling contest, spanning over a month and a half.
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As the defending champions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India will be looking to replicate their success from the 2023 home series, where they edged out Australia 2-1. With Kohli back in the mix, the stage is set for another chapter in this riveting rivalry. The Aussies might be talking up the Indian superstar, but Kohli’s focus will undoubtedly be on letting his bat do the talking once the series gets underway.
