"Hasn’t got runs": Sunil Gavaskar warns Australia of ‘very, very hungry’ Virat Kohli ahead of BGT

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar is confident in Virat Kohli's ability to deliver with the bat against Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Sunil Gavaskar said that Virat Kohli will be hungry to score runs amid his lean patch in the longer format leading up to the Australia series.

Kohli had scored only 93 runs in three home Tests against New Zealand, where Team India suffered a humiliating 0-3 whitewash. However, he has an impressive record in Australia in Test cricket. He has scored 1,352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08, including six centuries and four half-centuries.

The upcoming series will be Kohli's fifth Test series in Australia. His best performance came during the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he scored 692 runs in four matches at an average of 86.50, including four centuries. Overall, the star batter has scored 2,042 runs in 25 Tests against Australia.

Virat Kohli Will Be Very Very Hungry - Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar believes Virat Kohli will be eager to perform in Australia after a lean patch in Tests against New Zealand and Bangladesh. He said that Kohli's previous success in Australia will boost his confidence. Gavaskar added that if he gets off to a good start, Kohli will convert it into big runs.

“Because he hasn’t got runs against New Zealand, he’ll be very, very hungry. Having performed on these grounds, he’ll feel that extra bit of confidence. Of course, you need a bit of luck at the start, but if he gets off to a good start, he will get big runs," Gavaskar said.

You Might Just See Virat Kohli Firing Again - Ravi Shastri

Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Virat Kohli may have mellowed with age. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that Kohli could fire up again. Shastri emphasized that he would like to see Kohli back to his aggressive best.

“You mellow with age, don’t you? But I think at the start of the Test series, you might just see (Kohli) firing again. He needs to be, I’d like to see him (like that) again. In the face, that’s Kohli. Come Australia, he’ll get his juices going. Its about how he starts off,” Shastri said.

Australia Have To Leave Him Alone - Shane Watson

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said that Australia must leave Virat Kohli alone during the series. Watson stated that Australia should not provoke Kohli, as this could allow him to regain his full intensity.

“There has been in recent times, moments in this career that the 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,” Watson said.

The first Test of the series between India and Australia will be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth. This match will commence on Friday, November 22.

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