Deep Dasgupta wants Virat Kohli to play with ‘combative mindset’ against Australia in Border-Gavaskar series

Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Deep Dasgupta has urged Virat Kohli to play with an aggressive mindset against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series. The former Bengal cricketer noted that Kohli is at his absolute best when he wants to prove everyone wrong.

Kohli isn’t in the best of forms as he 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 was walking on the front foot on almost every single ball but he could not handle the extra bounce from Josh Hazlewood and was caught at first slip by Usman Khawaja.

Speaking to India Today, Dasgupta said, “I just hope so. Because, as I said, we’ve seen the best of him when he’s in that mind space—wanting to prove everyone wrong, fired up, combative.

“Great players love that kind of energy. Look at Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods, or Michael Jordan—athletes from different sports. They thrived on proving people wrong every time they stepped onto the field. I hope Virat finds that same zone because it’s all about finding the right mindset.”

Furthermore, Kohli could only score 99 runs in two Test matches against Bangladesh at an average of 33. Dasgupta noted that Kohli hasn’t matched his lofty standards but the Australian conditions should suit him.

“I think, obviously, the last series—or maybe the last couple of series—wasn’t great by his lofty standards. He’s set such high standards for himself that anything below those can seem disappointing. Especially the New Zealand and Bangladesh series, I think he would have been disappointed with how they went.

“But listen, there’s a reason these players are called great. They can turn it on when they want to. He enjoys playing in Australia and against Australia. The pitches suit him, and he thrives in the energy and the combative environment Australia provides. We’ve seen the best of Virat Kohli in those conditions—fired up and combative. That kind of mindset brings out his best performances.”

India are struggling at 81-6 after deciding to bat first.