Virat Kohli is ready for Australia challenge, don’t want to jinx him: Jasprit Bumrah
India captain Jasprit Bumrah issued a warning notice to Australia, saying Virat Kohli is warming up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy well and that the star battler looked in good shape during the preparation. Bumrah addressed the press conference on the eve of the first Test, exuding a lot of confidence as the stand-in captain of the team.
Jasprit Bumrah played down concerns around Virat Kohli’s recent form, talking up the impact that he has had in Australia. The fast bowler, who will lead India for only the second time in his career, recalled playing under Virat Kohli when he toured Australia the first time.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Full Coverage
Virat Kohli headed to Australia with concerns surrounding his form. He managed just 93 runs in three Tests against New Zealand in the series in which India were blanked 0-3 in a shocking result at home.
“I don’t have to say anything about Virat Kohli, the batter. He is one of the greats of the game. I don’t need to give him any special input. He is the utmost professional. He is one of the leaders. I made my debut under him. He knows what he is doing. Okay, one or two series, here and there, can up and down,” Jasprit Bumrah said on Thursday, November 21.
“But, the confidence he has at this moment, I have no doubts about how he has prepared. He is looking to contribute. The signs are ominous, I don’t want to jinx it by saying anything else, but he is looking in very good shape,.” he added.
Virat Kohli hasn’t enjoyed the best of forms in Tests in 2024, but he will look to take confidence from his past success in Australia. Kohli scored six hundreds in 13 Tests at an average of 54.
Kohli looked confident in similarly bouncy and pacey conditions in South Africa earlier this year.
The batting superstar has been in the spotlight ever since he arrived in Perth. A group of Australian newspapers put Kohli on the front page of a special issue, talking up his popularity and exploits. Former Australian cricketers have lavished praise on Kohli and warned against poking the former captain.
India will need Kohli to step up and deliver in the Perth Test as they will be without captain Rohit Sharma and No. 3 star Shubman Gill.
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