NEW DELHI: David Warner has issued a cautionary note to Pat Cummins and the Australian team about the potential impact of Virat Kohli in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite Kohli's recent struggles in international cricket, Warner believes the Indian stalwart remains a significant threat.
Over the past five years in Test cricket, the 36-year-old Kohli has managed only two centuries. His recent form includes just one fifty in his last 10 innings, and in six Test matches this year, he averages slightly above 22.
As India prepare to face Australia in the opening Test in Perth on November 22, Warner urged Australia not to underestimate Kohli, emphasizing his ability to rise to the occasion.
"I'm worried about Virat Kohli … but not for the reasons everyone else is. I've seen this before. People want to write Virat off after India's disastrous 3-0 Test series loss to New Zealand this month, but I'm actually worried for Australia," Warner expressed in his Herald Sun column.
"This is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and we know Virat always steps up in Australia and completely embraces that challenge like almost no one else who has ever visited our shores. There is no better way for him to come out and shut the critics up," Warner continued.
Warner further stated, "I'm genuinely worried for the Australian cricket team that he's going to come out and pile on some runs. For Australia's sake I hope he doesn't, but I think he will thrive on the fact he hasn't done so well for a while and he's got a point to prove."
"Virat is also in unchartered territory, because never before has he really ever had a form slump in his entire career. People want to marry that up with his age (he turned 36 earlier this month) and what not, but he's still a world-class player and all great players go through these dry times and come out the other side. Especially if you're as talented and determined as Kohli," Warner noted.
"This will definitely be the last time we see Virat in Australia in Test match whites which is something we should all savour. Virat has always been the person they rely heavily on to score runs and more often than not in Australia he has proven up for the contest," he concluded.
Kohli's record in Australia stands impressive with over 1,300 runs and six centuries in 13 Tests.
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