Irfan Pathan, the former Indian pacer feels that Virat Kohli should be more aggressive against spin in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy.
The former Indian captain will be key for the home team against the current leaders of the World Test Championship. Virat Kohli has been in tremendous form of late, and potentially without the services of Shreyas Iyer will be a crucial batter in the Indian line-up.
Irfan Pathan: Virat Kohli Should Try To Be A Little More Aggressive Against Spin In The Australia Series
The former India fast bowler said that Virat Kohli should try to bat a little more aggressively against spin, since he has not done as well as he would have liked in the recent times.
“One thing he will be keeping in his mind is how he’s going to be countering the spin of Lyon as well as Agar. Because he has been struggling against spin specially and I think one thing he can do personally as well is to try and be a little more aggressive, because I think the strike rate against spin has come down as well,” Irfan Pathan said in a show.
Virat Kohli has featured in 104 Tests amassing 8119 runs averaging 48.91 which includes 27 tons and 28 fifties. His career-best score is 254*. Australia will carry four spinners in their squad with Todd Murphy, Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson fighting it out to possibly partner Nathan Lyon in the starting XI. Virat Kohli has been dismissed 7 times by the off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Irfan Pathan: Virat Kohli Must Be Slightly More Aggressive Against Spin While Facing The Likes Of Nathan Lyon
Australia have added four spinners to their squad, that includes the likes of Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar, two experienced finger spinners for Australia. Barring those two, Australia have also chosen to carry wrist spinner Mitchell Swepson for the tour besides uncapped Todd Murphy.
Todd Murphy’s Sheffield Shield form has placed him on the plane for a potential Test debut, having taken 14 wickets from his five innings with the ball for an average of 17.71. Todd Murphy, who had played just one first-class match prior to 2022, has bolted to the Test squad following strong performances for Victoria, Australia A and the Prime Minister’s XI over the past 12 months, and is viewed as a potential long-term successor to Nathan Lyon.
The 22-year-old has the lowest average of any spin bowler in the Marsh Sheffield Shield season to date with 14 wickets at 17.71 in just three matches.
“I know we are talking about Test cricket here, but sometimes he must be slightly more aggressive against spin, it might make you better in that encounter when you’re actually facing guys like Nathan Lyon who is outstanding with his spin, extra bounce and he gets that ball moving away from the right-hander as well. So, I think that’s one thing he should keep in mind,” Irfan Pathan said on the show.
India will be taking on Australia in a four-match Test series. They are primed to play Australia in the final of the World Test Championship.