'That’s exactly what he wants': Michael Clarke warns Aussies against sledging Virat Kohli

Former Australia National Cricket Team skipper Michael Clarke has issued a major warning to the Australian team regarding Virat Kohli ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Michael Clarke has warned the Aussies against sledging Virat Kohli during the marquee Test series, saying that it would backfire.

Also Read: Huge blow for India: After Shubman Gill, this superstar gets injured ahead of Perth Test

As an Australian, I’d want Australia to keep him quiet - Michael Clarke

In an interaction on RevSportz, Michael Clarke said that Kohli has had immense success in Australia and he would be looking to continue that in the upcoming series.

According to Clarke, Kohli will have to finish as the leading run-getter if India are to win, and for Australia, it would be important to keep him quiet in the Test series opener in Perth.

"Virat Kohli has had a lot of success in Australia – six hundreds in 13 Test matches, if I remember right. He still has the game. He will be hungry and he will know the conditions will suit him. I am very sure he will score the maximum runs for India if they are to win or do well in this series.

"As an Australian, I’d want Australia to keep him quiet. If he gets runs in the first game, he will get runs all series and will make it count. He loves the fight, mate, and loves getting into the action. See the build-up around him. All of this will pump him up for sure."

I seriously don’t think the Australians will be as silly to do this - Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke also feels that sledging Virat Kohli wouldn't be a good decision as the Indian superstar always wants to get into a fight and being sledged will definitely charge him up.

The former Australian skipper doubts that Pat Cummins & Co. would sledge Kohli because he feels even they know that fact that provoking the Indian superstar won't do any good to them. He elaborated:

"I seriously don’t think the Australians will be as silly to do this. That’s exactly what Virat wants. He wants them to get into a fight with him. He will use it to get into the action.

"You shouldn’t give him that opportunity, and I am sure the Australians know it. He is much loved out here for all that he has done and achieved, and I am waiting to see him bat here. As I said, if India is to do well and win, Virat Kohli will have to score the maximum number of runs for the team."

Virat Kohli will be key to India's success

Kohli will be key to the success of the Indian team in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. India will be missing the services of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in Perth, and Kohli will have the lead from the front with the bat.

He has been going through a lean patch in the longest format of the game, but his past heroics on Australian soil will definitely provide him with the confidence he needs to get back to form.

Kohli has played 13 Test matches Down Under, and he has scored 1352 runs at an amazing average of. 54.08 to go with 6 tons and 4 fifties.