"We don’t want this guy...": Allan Border drops colossal statement on Virat Kohli

Australian cricket legend Allan Border has lashed out at the Pat Cummins-led Australia cricket team for their failure to keep Virat Kohli in check in the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Kohli’s majestic unbeaten century in the second innings led India to a commanding 295-run victory over Australia in the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Allan Border warned that Virat Kohli's resurgence could be a major turning point and jeopardize Pat Cummins' leadership in the ongoing five-match Test series against India.

Allan Border slams Australia's tactics as Virat Kohli's century seals India's dominant win in Perth Test

Kohli ended his Test century drought of 18 months and silenced his critics with a dominant knock that not only reaffirmed his status as one of the world's best but also restored his confidence heading into the Test series.

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The former Australian captain has expressed his disappointment over Australia’s tactics, particularly the field placements and lack of early pressure, which he believes allowed the dashing right-handed batter to find his rhythm without significant resistance at the Optus Stadium.

Allan Border told SEN Radio: “I was really disappointed in the way we let Kohli roll on to a hundred without much resistance. We don't want this guy full of confidence for the rest of the series.”

They missed a few tricks with Virat Kohli: Matthew Hayden

Border's frustrations were echoed by fellow Australian greats Matthew Hayden and Mark Taylor, both of whom criticized the skipper Pat Cummins for not setting a more challenging field. With the absence of close-in fielders, Kohli was able to settle into his innings, and his confidence grew rapidly.

Matthew Hayden had told Channel 7: “They missed a few tricks with Virat Kohli in the early part of his innings. Nathan Lyon had a mid-on back, one on the off-side catching, and a mid-wicket. I felt like it was so easy for him to get off strike. You can't cut a sucker an even break when a bloke is under pressure as he was.”

“The field we actually finished with—two slips, no point, a man straight—it offered up the outside edge of his bat as well. He found it a little more frustrating. When he got the bit between the teeth, it was too late.”

It will be tough series for us if Kohli keeps playing like this: Border

Meanwhile, Australia faces the formidable challenge of fixing their tactical errors while devising a strategy to disrupt Kohli's momentum before he firmly establishes his dominance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where India already grabbed a 1-0 lead.

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The Aussie great predicted that the ongoing BGT 2024-25 will be a tough series for the hosts if they fail to keep Kohli silent. Border signed off by saying, “If Kohli keeps playing like this, it could be a long, tough series for us.”

Notably, India and Australia will lock horns against each other in the second Test of the ongoing five-match Test series at the Adelaide Oval from December 6. It will be a day-night affair, and the hosts would certainly love to make a comeback with the pink ball against India.