Australian great Shane Watson has issued a warning to the Australian team by cautioning not to give Virat Kohli a reason for his boosted notivation. According to Watson, keeping Virat Kohli away from provocative questions during Border-Gavaskar Trophy may help Australian team out in their struggle to counter Indian team.
Provoking Virat Kohli Will Backfire For Australia
Despite a recent dip in form Virat Kohli has the record of an exceptional performance in Australia and will no doubt crave to once again get back into his rhythm in the five-match Test series. Kohli has accumulated 1,352 runs in 13 Tests played in Australia since his debut in 2011. He has six centuries, four fifties, and a highest score of 169 with an average of 54.08.
“The one thing that I know of Virat is… because the fire burns so brightly and deep inside him, the intensity he brings to every ball that he is engaged in a game has been superhuman,” Watson was quoted as saying on the Willow Talk podcast.
“But, there have been in recent times where moments in this career that fire has started to go out because it is just so hard to maintain that intensity in every moment he is involved in a game.
“And, that is where Australia have to leave him alone and hope he doesn’t bring the intensity — nine out of 10 intensity — to every ball.”
Virat Kohli’s Outstanding 2014-15 Tour
This will be Kohli’s fifth tour to Australia, in Tests. His prominent display came during the 2014-15 series for which he managed 692 runs in mere four Tests at a remarkable average of 86.50. At that time also, he did four centuries and a half-century.
“We have seen that when he has had success in Australia, he is up and above for everything in the middle. Every ball he is up for every single moment.
“You can see the fierce intensity that he brings, and if he gets that, then it shuts everything else out. That is when he is at his absolute best.
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“If there is stuff happening around and that intensity is not there, that is when you will see the not-so-best version of Virat. So from an Australian perspective, let’s hope we get to see that version of him,” Watson said.
With this sort of record, Kohli will be looking to add to his laurels on this tour, and Watson’s caution may well be a reminder to the Australians of what happens when Kohli is backed into a corner.
