An India-Australia Down Under test series without Virat Kohli is a bit like El Clásico without Lionel Messi. In what is now possibly the most compelling rivalry in cricket, Kohli is the central protagonist, the man around whom the contest revolves. It is not just that the Indian captain loves to play in Australia, he has scored more test runs there than in any other country outside of India, but because over the years he has made it clear that beating Australia in the Testing is kind of a personal touchstone for him as captain. In 2018, he led India to their first victory in a test series in Australia.
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While Cheteshwar Pujara is the hitting stone and Jasprit Bumrah the spearhead of rhythm on this side, Kohli is the multi-dimensional force that takes on all opponents on all fronts, be it with their hitting, leadership, energy levels or direct aggression. .
Kohli and his actress and wife Anushka Sharma are expecting their first child in January, and the captain will return home after the opening test in Adelaide ends on December 21. Since it would have to be quarantined again for 14 days if it had to. When he returns to Australia after the birth, it seems certain that he will miss the last three tests in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
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“(His absence) will be an important factor, there is no doubt about it. He is one of the best in the world, ”said former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar.
Australians love to hate him, but he’s still the only opponent they want their troops to fight. They see in him a little bit of the Australian cricketer; in your boundless winning momentum.
In a video conference with reporters on Friday, Australia’s coach Justin Langer said Kohli’s absence will be a major factor. “Virat Kohli is probably the best player I’ve ever seen in my life for many reasons, not just batting, but because of his energy and passion for the game, the way he shoots,” Langer said. “I can’t believe he shows the energy that he does in everything he does and I have a lot of respect for him. I also have respect for him in the sense that he made this decision (to return by birth), ”added the former Australia starter.
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As Langer points out, the reason for Kohli’s absence is impeccable, but what is also true is that India relies heavily on the captain to win in Tests, especially outside of India.
Kohli’s love affair with Australia began in early 2012 when she took her first Hundred Test in Adelaide. It immediately turned out to be the turning point in his career, after a shaky six months since his testing debut. His next Down Under tour, in 2014, was also the most dazzling performance of his brilliant testing career. He made the world sit up and take notice with a total of 692 runs averaging 86.50 with four hundred. After starting with hundreds in both innings in Adelaide (115 and 141), he broke his highest score in Australia, 169, in the third round at Melbourne Cricket Ground. He finished with a 147 inning at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
In his third foray, in 2018, he was leading India to a historic series victory.
“His record in Australia is outstanding. When he’s chasing, his second-inning record is brilliant, ”said former India goalkeeper and national coach Kiran More. “His aggression when hitting is excellent; at one end when someone hits that well, it becomes easier for the hitting partner at the other end.
“In testing, Kohli not being there is huge,” More added, “but it also serves as an opportunity for someone to step up and perform at that level.”
Kohli’s absence improves Australia’s chances of avenging their series loss at home, but roulette ace Nathan Lyon said Australia would have preferred to play India with Kohli on the side. “It is disappointing for the series. You want to play against the best players in the world, ”Lyon said. “I think he is the best player in the world along with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. It’s disappointing, but they still have superstars. ”
Kohli will lead India in three ODIs, three Twenty20 internationals and the first test before returning home. The second test begins in Melbourne on December 26, followed by matches in Sydney on January 7 and Brisbane on January 15, all played under strict biosecurity protocols. In an interview with AFP, the great Australian Steve Waugh compared the fight with India to a fight for the heavyweight title. Kohli’s absence “takes away from the series.”
“It’s a bit like a couple of years ago when India won without Warner or Smith on the team,” he said. “You really want to win against the best possible opposition, particularly when this is like the heavyweight title fight.”
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