Former Australian pace bowler Jeff Thomson has said that Australia’s bowlers will have to make Virat Kohli uncomfortable in the middle in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series. India will take on Australia in a four-match Test series, starting February 9. While speaking on the Backstage with Boria show, Thomson said that Australian bowlers will have to make Kohli uncomfortable and keep him quiet in the upcoming Test series as well.

“It is no different to anyone else. If you are bowling to Virat, it’s the same as anybody else. You try to tie him down, and make him uncomfortable. Don’t let him score runs as it is difficult to keep him quiet as he has a such wide range of shots,” said Jeff Thomson.

The legendary pace bowler also said that the Australians will have to make Kohli take more risks and get him out of his comfort zone as well.

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“Make him take more risks. Get him out of his comfort zone, is easier said than done. Good bowlers will be able to do so more often. That’s how you bowl to great batters like Viv Richards, Greg Chappell and Sunny Gavaskar,” Thomson added. “You can’t back off. You got to use your head. It’s your mental battle against him (Virat). The one who breaks first loses out. You got to be stronger mentally than him to get success. Good players – both batters and bowlers work that out,” further said Thomson.

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The veteran has also said Australia will need to have backup plans against India as they will play at home as well.

“They got to have a Plan B or C and see what happens. Some days it doesn’t work, but if you know you tried your best and did not bowl too many garbage deliveries and make him score easy runs, that’s what you can do,” Jeff Thomson concluded.