Australia batter Travis Head has expressed hope that Virat Kohli won’t have too many standout moments during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Speaking during a press conference in Perth, Head acknowledged Kohli’s prowess, labelling him a world-class player, while also emphasizing the need to curb his impact in the series.

Virat Kohli’s preparation for the highly anticipated series hasn’t been ideal. The Indian batting stalwart had a forgettable run during India’s 0-3 Test series defeat against New Zealand, managing just 93 runs across three matches. This performance has raised concerns among fans and experts, who are eager to see if Kohli can rediscover his form.

Despite the recent slump, Travis Head is confident that Kohli’s talent and experience make him a formidable opponent. He highlighted the inevitable buzz surrounding the Indian star in any series.

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“You can’t play a series against India and not talk about Virat Kohli. He’s going to have his moments in the series—hopefully, not too many—but we respect his ability. Over five Tests, we know he’ll likely perform at some point. Our focus is to minimize his impact while ensuring players on our side rise to the occasion,” Travis Head remarked.

Virat Kohli will carry added responsibility in the Perth Test, as India will be without two key players—Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Rohit is on paternity leave, while Gill has been sidelined due to a thumb fracture, which could keep him out of the first two Tests.

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Historically, Kohli has been a prolific performer against Australia. With 1,352 Test runs Down Under, he is second only to Sachin Tendulkar among Indian batters on Australian soil. His stellar record includes memorable centuries and pivotal knocks, underlining his knack for delivering in high-stakes encounters.