Legendary Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson has given sage advice to the Australian bowlers on how to get Indian run machine Virat Kohli out early if they wish to get ahead in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series.
Kohli has returned back to form after enduring a barren run of three years, especially in white-ball cricket. He couldn't score big runs in the two Tests he played against Bangladesh, but with the big series against Australia looming, the visitors will definitely not take the former India captain lightly in the red-ball format.
Speaking on the Backstage with Boria show, Thomson said Australian bowlers will have to make Virat Kohli uncomfortable and keep him as quiet as possible in the upcoming Test series. He also asked the Australian bowlers to make Kohli take more risks to get him out early.
“It is no different to anyone else. If you are bowling to Virat, it’s the same as anybody else. You try to tie him down, and make him uncomfortable. Don’t let him score runs as it is difficult to keep him quiet as he has a such wide range of shots.
Make him take more risks. Get him out of his comfort zone, is easier said than done. Good bowlers will be able to do so more often. That’s how you bowl to great batters like Viv Richards, Greg Chappell and Sunny Gavaskar,” Thomson said.
Thomson further added that it will also be a mental battle between the Australian bowlers and Virat Kohli and the one who breaks first will lose. He also suggested the visitors have a backup plan in case their primary planning failed.
“You can’t back off. You got to use your head. It’s your mental battle against him (Virat). The one who breaks first loses out. You got to be stronger mentally than him to get success. Good players - both batters and bowlers work that out.
They got to have a Plan B or C and see what happens. Some days it doesn’t work, but if you know you tried your best and did not bowl too many garbage deliveries and make him score easy runs, that’s what you can do,” Thomson added.
(India Today inputs)
