Virat Kohli compared to a duck by Ex India Chief selector ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Former Indian men's cricket team selector MSK Prasad opened up about star batter Virat Kohli's recent failures during the Test series against New Zealand. MSK Prasad said that he is confident about Virat Kohli scoring a lot of runs during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Australia.

India is currently taking on New Zealand in a three-match Test series. The hosts have already lost the series 0-2, with the final match set to commence in Mumbai on November 1. Following the series, India will head to Australia for the much-awaited five-match Test series, starting in Perth on November 22.

Virat Kohli Loves These Conditions - MSK Prasad

On the Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues,' MSK Prasad emphasized that Virat Kohli loves to perform in Australian conditions. Prasad added that Kohli is eager to finish the Wankhede Test and head to Australia for the five-match series.

"Virat Kohli is like a duck getting into the water when he goes to Australia. He loves these conditions and probably he must be eagerly itching to just finish off this Wankhede Test and then go and play in Australia because he loves that," Prasad said while speaking to Star Sports.

Kohli's form will be crucial for India as they seek their third consecutive Test series win in Australia. However, he has scored only 88 runs in four innings during the current series against New Zealand and managed just 99 runs across four innings in the previous Test series against Bangladesh.

Rohit Sharma Played A Splendid Knock in Adelaide - MSK Prasad

MSK Prasad highlighted that Virat Kohli enjoys facing tough bowling attacks. The former India selector added that Rohit Sharma's splendid knock against Australia during the 2018 tour in Adelaide was an example of how top players rise to the occasion in challenging situations.

"He loves those challenges and sometimes champion cricketers bring their best game against the champion side and champion attack and this is the attack that he would definitely love. Even Rohit Sharma, in one of the Tests in Adelaide in 2018, he played a splendid knock," he added.

Rest Will Find It Very Difficult - MSK Prasad

Prasad said that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma need to deliver for India in the upcoming series against Australia. He stated that their batting styles are well-suited to conditions, especially hard and bouncy pitches. Prasad said that he hopes Kohli will aim for an outstanding performance in Australia.

"Absolutely right, because if they don't step up and inspire, the rest will find it very difficult. Both of their styles suit these kinds of conditions much better. Anything hard and bouncy, both of them really enjoy," he said.

"I don't know when Virat is going to come back to Australia again but he would love to complete this series on a very, very high and top-notch performance, and that's what exactly I am expecting both from Virat and Rohit," the former India wicketkeeper-batter added.

Virat Kohli has scored 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08 across 13 Tests in Australia. In contrast, Rohit Sharma has amassed only 408 runs at an average of 31.38 in seven Tests. During India's 2018 tour of Australia, Kohli scored a century in Perth, where India lost the match by 146 runs.

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