“Since we have won the series in Australia twice, the rivalry has turned into respect” – Virat Kohli on upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy

India’s talismanic batter Virat Kohli feels the rivalry against Australia has turned into respect after they have won the last two Test series while playing Downunder. India registered their maiden Test series win on Australian soil on the 2018-19 tour, under the captaincy of Virat Kohli as they won by 2-1.

Subsequently, India once again stunned the mighty Australians in their own backyard by 2-1 on the previous tour of 2020-21 under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane despite having a second-string team.

India has not lost the Border-Gavaskar trophy in the last decade and they have their wood on Australia.

Virat Kohli said on Star Sports, “The rivalry was very intense in the initial years. The environment used to be very tense. Since we have won the series in Australia twice, the rivalry has turned into respect. We are not taken lightly as a Test team. That respect is evident when we play against Australia – that is a team that has beaten us twice in our backyard back-to-back.”

Meanwhile, Virat 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.

On the other hand, Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin reckons the mutual respect and camaraderie between Indian and Australian players is a lot better than what it used to be.

“The Australian cricketers definitely know that this team has got the ability and they do respect people on this side of the fence, so does everybody inside the dressing room that I play in. We all know how good the Aussie team is. There are some wonderful cricketers in there. The mutual respect and camaraderie is a lot better.”

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