“Well, the King is back in his territory, that’s all I will tell them”- Ravi Shastri sends message to Virat Kohli’s critics ahead of 2024-25 BGT

Former Indian head coach and all-rounder Ravi Shastri has put his weight behind Virat Kohli to deliver the goods while playing in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. Kohli isn’t in the best of forms in the recent past and he will need to turn the tables against Australia.

Kohli could only score 93 runs in three Test matches at an average of 15.50 whereas he scored only 99 runs in two Test matches against Bangladesh at an average of 33. 

However, Kohli has 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.

Ravi Shastri said on ICC, “Well, the King is back in his territory. That’s all I will tell them. When you’ve earned that title after your exploits in Australia, it will be on your (opponent’s) mind when you go out to bat.”

“Your juices are flowing, you’re charged up. It’s again a case with Virat. You want to see calmness because at times you are overeager to get out there and throw the first punch. But I think that calmness in the first half an hour where he gets out to bat or in the first three innings of the series will be extremely important. If he can be calm and play the game at his own pace rather than being in a hurry, I think he’ll be fine,” he said.

It will be imperative for India that Kohli bats at his best in the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia. Kohli has all the experience and it is time he finds his Midas Touch while playing Downunder.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.