'Virat Kohli Set To Be Farewelled': Australian Media Write Off King Kohli Ahead Of BGT
Australian media pokes Virat Kohli ahead of Test series [Source: @theheraldsun/X.com]
Ahead of the opening Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Australian media took a dig at Virat Kohli and his dipping form by implying that the tour could be Kohli’s final one on Australian soil. Writing off Kohli, the Aussies listed Yashasvi Jaiswal as the player to watch out for.
Virat Kohli, once known for his extraordinary dominance in overseas conditions, is heading into the high-stake Border Gavaskar Series with a chip on his shoulders. In 2024, the man has scored just 488 runs in 25 innings at an average of 20.33. His career Test average dropped below 48 for the first time in a long while. In the last 6 innings at home, Kohli mustered only 93 runs against New Zealand.
Virat Kohli mocked by Australian media
Naturally, he is no longer considered a threat by the Australian media. On Tuesday, the Australian newspaper Herald Sun wrote a preview of the Border-Gavaskar Series and took a stern dig at Virat Kohli.
Herald Sun stated that Virat Kohli, who shaped the India-Australia rivalry in the last decade, is set to be farewelled off Australian shores this year.
“This summer, the man looks set to be farewelled on these shores. Kohli left his first impression of note on Australian audiences in 2012 at the SCG when he stuck up his finger to the crowd, but his most lasting one came two Tests later when he scored India's lone ton of the series. The boy had arrived and would go on to define the Australia-India rivalry for the next decade," Herald wrote.
Besides writing off Virat Kohli, the newspaper also listed Yashasvi Jaiswal as a player to watch out for. They likened Jaiswal’s youth to Kohli and how his aggressive approach with the bat will be a tale must to witness this series.
“In Kohli's place, Jaiswal looks ready to fill in, having spent the past 18 months establishing himself as the most exciting Indian batter of his generation. And like Kohli before him, when he is in full flow, nothing feels out of reach for India."
The 5-game Test series between India and Australia begins on November 22 at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Gautam Gambhir out at Kohli’s critics
In a press conference held at Mumbai, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir defended underfire veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma by calling out Ricky Ponting’s criticism. He stated that Ponting has nothing to do with Indian cricket and he trusts his players. The coach further added that Kohli and Rohit are tough players who still carry the same passion for the game. He trusts them to break out of the slump sooner than later.