Former selector MSK Prasad has admitted that Virat Kohli’s form in Tests will be a concern for the Indian team heading into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia next month. Kohli, who has played 5 Tests so far this season, has struggled in the longest format of the game.

The star batsman scored just 245 runs in the 10 innings he batted at an average of 27.22. In the ongoing series against New Zealand, Kohli has scored a total of 88 runs in 4 innings, with his best of 70 coming during the Bengaluru Test. Speaking to Star Sports, Prasad said that Kohli will have to step up for India if they have any chance of winning the series against Australia. The former selector also pointed out that India lacks Cheteshwar Pujara’s composure and Kohli’s aggression with the bat in the middle.

“One hundred percent. If you look at the way he performed in the 2018 series, on one hand he brought the aggression into the batting and on the other hand (Cheteshwar) Pujara held the fort. So we’re missing the combo those two had, mind you. aggressively,” he said.

Prasad said Kohli’s form is becoming a concern with World Test Championship points at stake.

“Pujara played solidly at one end and Virat got aggressive at the other end. The way Virat batted, he inspired everyone else. So the form of the top batsman is certainly a concern, and that too with the ICC Test Championship and the points system that is there,” the former India coach added.

Virat Kohli’s record against Australia

Kohli has a prolific record against Australia in Test matches. The star batsman scored 2042 runs against the Aussies in 25 matches at an average of 47.48. Kohli has scored 8 hundreds and 5 fifties during this time.

His record in Test matches in Australia is also equally impressive as 1352 runs at an average of 54.08. India and Australia will start the series on November 22 with the Test match in Perth.

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