Virat Kohli needs to get inspired by Sachin Tendulkar’s brilliant 241* in SCG on the 2003-04 tour of Australia, stated former Australia keeper-batter Adam Gilchrist. This came after Kohli’s poor dismissals in the second BGT 2024 Test in Adelaide.
After a brilliant ton in the second innings in Perth, it was expected that Virat Kohli would lead the way for India with the bat in Adelaide, his favorite Australian ground to score runs. However, he only managed 7 and 11 runs in two innings in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, both times getting out trying to play balls outside the off-stump.
Adam Gilchrist suggested that Kohli looks at Sachin Tendulkar's knock in Sydney in 2004 when the batter did not hit a single shot through the cover after edging the ball outside off stump in the lead-up to the game.
"The biggest battle is not with what's coming towards you from the bowler or the skill of the opposition, it's more about the battle between your ears. So, not suggesting that Virat scrambled any sense, but maybe he's got to try and hone in on what Sachin Tendulkar did at the SCG. And say 'right he'd say, right, I'm not gonna go chase anything outside off stump. You come to me.' You just play the patience game," Adam Gilchrist said on Cricbuzz.
Sachin Tendulkar's unbeaten 241 against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the 2003-04 Test series remains one of cricket's most memorable and strategically brilliant innings.
Prior to this match, Tendulkar had been battling with his form, especially against deliveries placed outside the off stump. He had been disqualified several times while attempting his characteristic cover drive.
Tendulkar, determined to turn things around, made a bold and realistic decision: he would not play a single cover drive throughout the game.
"He's got enough experience under his belt to know that he's mentally tough. He's carried the weight of expectation since U-19 level, entering the IPL and becoming the icon that is. He should be able to say to himself, I'm going to do what's within my capacity to do the best thing for the team and if it's a long patient game, so be it. If you play long enough, you're probably gonna have to evolve with different ways and this might be an opportunity for Virat to do that," he further added.
Kohli’s form with the bat will be crucial for India as they aim to win the remaining three Tests in a bid to qualify for the WTC 2025 final. The third Test of BGT 2024 will begin in Brisbane on December 14.
