AUS v IND 2018-19: Dean Jones compares Virat Kohli's perfection in batting with Mona Lisa painting

"If India don’t win this series, they will never win in Australia", says Dean Jones.

Virat Kohli has been in superlative form in Tests | AFP

Former Australian Cricketer Dean Jones has made a bold comment against the Indian Cricket Team ahead of the four-match Test Series, saying if Virat Kohli and his troop don’t win upcoming Down Under, then they will never win a series on the Kangaroos soil.

Jones further went on to claim that Australia is a very strong and unbeatable team at home, but this time, India has a golden opportunity to write history by winning their first-ever Test series here in the absence of their batting powerhouses –Steve Smith and David Warner.

He also said that Smith-Warner absence gives an extra edge to the No.1 Test side over depleted Australia and offers “best” chance of winning a maiden Test Series Down Under, predicting the result will go “India’s way to the tune of a 2-0 or 3-0.”

Dean has also offered some crucial advice to the bowlers and national side against the aggressive Captain Kohli, saying the hosts must avoid the verbal battle with the no. 1 one batsman during the series.  

Jones told reporters, “If India doesn’t win this series, they will never win in Australia. India are miles better than Australia in all formats but do they have the belief, and will their fast bowlers last the distance? With India’s history, maybe this series will not be a fait accompli. I do feel the result will go India’s way to the tune of a 2-0 or 3-0 result, as I just can’t see Australia winning a Test anywhere.”

He further added, “Normally when Australia play at home they are very hard to beat. But now there is no Steve Smith and David Warner, who consistently make 40 percent of Australia’s runs. For Australia to win, who is going to fill those shoes?”

Meanwhile, the former Australian batsman advised the hosts to not provoke Kohli in the series, suggesting bowlers to set him up with short stuff first, as slips and gully stay on high alert for the batman.

The cricket pundit further stated of the dashing batsman, “Do not talk or provoke him. Make him your best mate. Trying to find a weakness in Kohli’s game is like trying to find something wrong with the Mona Lisa. Teams must stop his cover drive and bowl in different areas. At the start of Kohli’s innings, quicks need to bowl at a fourth-stump line and make him play on the back foot. Do not give him width and length outside off-stump. Bowlers must try to set him up with short stuff first and then the odd wide ball on the drive to find the edge. Slips and gully stay on high alert.”

Jones said Australia should be only worried about themselves rather than India | Getty Images

For Australia, he has some valuable words, “In 1986, Australia were in a similar position when they toured India. Australia had a very inexperienced team. But what they did have was two great leaders: Allan Border and Bob Simpson. The players didn’t worry about the opposition too much, they just looked within and worried about themselves.”

Jones signed off by saying, “Border and Simpson privately spoke to each player and helped each individual organize their game plan. Within weeks, the team was very much committed, with game plans sorted, as they had the total support from the coach and captain. All we had to do, was executed.”

(With Sydney Morning Herald Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 30 Nov, 2018

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