Cheteshwar Pujara backs ‘experienced’ Virat Kohli to play important role in Border-Gavaskar series against Australia

Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has backed experienced Virat Kohli to play a key role in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. Kohli isn’t in the best of forms but Pujara reckons the talisman needs to score a lot of hundreds in Australia for India to savor success.

The right-hander scored only 93 runs in three Test matches against New Zealand at an average of 15.50. Before the opening Test against Australia, Kohli scored 2042 runs in 25 Test matches against Australia at an average of 47.48, including eight centuries. Kohli has even better numbers while playing in Australia as he has scored 1352 runs in 13 Test matches at an impressive average of 54.08, including six centuries.

But Kohli was dismissed after scoring only five runs on the opening day’s morning after Jasprit Bumrah decided to bat first. Kohli adopted a approach of coming on the front foot but he could not handle a bouncy ball from Josh Hazlewood and was caught at first slip by Usman Khawaj.

Cheteshwar Pujara said on Star Sports, “He plays a very important role in this series and I think he’s the guy who will have to do the job. Because if you look at the experience in this squad, he’s the most experienced player. The kind of player he has been throughout the career, we want the Virat Kohli, the one who has been scoring lot of runs, we want that back. Because if India has to win, he has to score a lot of hundreds in Australia. He will play an important role.”

Pujara reckons it will be imperative for India that Kohli scores the crucial knocks even if he doesn’t score hundreds while batting at number four.

“There are times, even if he doesn’t get to 100, but even if he scores those important 70s, 80s, that will hold the team together because he bats at No. 4 and that is the position which is the most important position in Australia.”

Pujara, who delivered for India on the last two tours of Australia, said Kohli won’t be worried about his current form.

“Talking about some his failures, I think he’s someone who has scored a lot of runs throughout his career in different formats of the game. So, I don’t think he’ll be too worried about that. Yes, there is a little bit of concern, but at the same time, the kind of cricketer he is, the way he prepares for each and every game, I’m sure he’ll be up for the challenge.”

At lunch, India were struggling at 51-4 after 25 overs.