To win the Test series, all batsmen will have to support Kohli, feels Adam Gilchrist

The much anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence on the 6th of December at the Adelaide Oval. There has been so much talk back and forth about how the current Australian team is crippled and how this is Indian team’s best chance to oust the hosts for the first time in a Test series in their paradise.

Virat Kohli’s presence had been hyped well before in advance and he is tipped by many experts to again set the high voltage series ablaze with his batting. Skipper Kohli was the standout performer for India in the last two overseas Test series in England and South Africa, however, the visitors failed to win the series because of the other batsmen significantly falling apart.

Former Australian great Adam Gilchrist believes that Kohli will have a huge role to play and expects him to come good but the other batsmen will have to provide immense support if the Indian team has to win the coveted trophy on the Australian soil. Gilchrist also said that while speaking to the Indian captain, he felt that he is confident to excel in the Test series with the way he batted at Sydney.

The 47-year old said as quoted by the Outlook in an interview “Going ahead into the Test series, I expect Virat Kohli will have another imperious outing like he did in 2014. I have spoken with him, these last few days, seeing his confidence, and seen the way he batted at Sydney. I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t. The key for India winning the series though will be the batsmen around him. Will they support him enough to allow India to give enough runs, and give their good enough bowling attack enough opportunity to defend or even bowl Australia out twice in a test?”

Australia will have to be prepared for every batsman and not just one

The 96-Test veteran, when also asked whether the hosts will have a blueprint to stop Kohli, he responded by saying that Australia will need to have an action plan in place for all the batsmen and not just Kohli. He also pointed out that the Australian batsmen will need to grind out on the field by playing the old-fashioned Test cricket.

“I don’t think I will be able to pinpoint a plan because I don’t know. At best Australia will have to be patient. They will have to play the good old-fashioned Test cricket. Their best hope is to make early inroads in the Indian batting and bowl at Kohli with the new ball,” Gilly added.

He further said, “Of course, they have to attack all batsmen and not just him, especially when they are new to the crease. But they also need to know when to go defensive and play the patience game against him for long hours.”

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