AUS vs IND 2024: Sanjay Manjrekar hopeful of Virat Kohli having one final say in Australia, says pacey pitches will suit the batter

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar expects Virat Kohli to have one final say in Australia as he feels the pacey Australian pitches will suit the Indian batter. Kohli struggled to get going in spin friendly conditions against New Zealand as he could only manage 93 runs in three Test matches despite playing at home.

Before that, Kohli scored only 99 runs in two Test matches against Bangladesh. 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. Thus, he will look to continue his love affair against Australia.

Manjrekar recalled how Kohli scored 161 runs in two Test matches against South Africa on the 2021 tour at an average of 40.25.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo, “Virat Kohli’s performance in South Africa, where he was India’s best batter by far, the most consistent batter. The most difficult thing for Test batters today to achieve is consistency, and that is what Virat Kohli showed in that series. That’s why I am very hopeful that Virat Kohli will have that one final say in Australia because mentally, he’s just going to get freed up.

“It’s not going to be one of those turners that you get in Wankhede, Pune or Chennai. This is going to be conditions where he feels at home. I still remember that hundred that he got after that series against England where he averaged 13, came to Australia, and got a hundred in the first Test match. He just walks out different when there is just pace coming and not too much swing.”

There is no doubt that Kohli is going to hold the key and he will look to be at his best. The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.