Former chief selector MSK Prasad reckons Virat Kohli ‘s form ahead of the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy is concerning. Prasad reminded fans how Kohli was the key contributor in the 2018-19 series. In the ongoing series against New Zealand, Kohli has amassed 88 runs in his four outings. Also, against Bangladesh , he was not at his best accumulating merely 99 runs in four innings against Bangladesh . When asked if Kohli needs to peak in Australia, Prasad affirmed. 

‘Missing the combination those two had, caution with aggression’

“Hundred percent. If you look at the way he performed in the 2018 series, on one side he brought aggression into batting and on the other side (Cheteshwar) Pujara was holding the fort. So we are missing the combination those two had, caution with aggression,” he said.

“Pujara was playing solidly on one side and Virat got aggression from the other end. The way Virat batted, he inspired everyone else. So the form of the most premier batter is definitely a cause for concern, that too with the ICC Test Championship and the points system that’s there,” the former India selector added.

Now that the side has lost two Test matches against New Zealand at home, their task of making the final has become difficult. The five Test matches India play against Australia would be extremely crucial. If India has to make the final of the WTC, they would have to win games in Australia as well. 

India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli , KL Rahul , Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin , Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.

Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed