NEW DELHI: Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has issued a warning to the Australian cricket team ahead of their opening Test against India in Perth starting on Friday.
Watson highlighted the intensity and competitive spirit that Virat Kohli brings to the field, cautioning Australia to be prepared for his trademark aggression.
The Aussies are set to face India in a highly-anticipated five-Test series for Border-Gavaskar trophy, and Kohli’s form and leadership are likely to play a decisive role. Watson emphasized Australia's need to maintain composure against Kohli's fierce approach.
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Kohli's performance in Test cricket has been declining over recent years, with his struggles becoming increasingly apparent since 2020. The former Indian captain has been working diligently to recover his exceptional batting form in the traditional format of the game.
In 34 Test matches spanning the past four years, he has accumulated 1,838 runs at an average of 31.68, with only two centuries and nine half-centuries to his name.
With his prolonged period of modest performances continuing, there is mounting pressure on Kohli to deliver significant contributions across five Tests.
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"The one thing that I know about Virat is because he's the fire burning so brightly and deeply inside of him, the intensity that he brings to every ball that he is engaging in a game has been superhuman. But there have been moments in his career when that fire started to go out because it is so hard to maintain that intensity," Watson said in the Willow Talk Podcast.
Despite experiencing a period of reduced performance, Kohli's challenging phase has continued. However, Watson cautioned the Australian side, suggesting they should wish for the Indian stalwart to enter the series without his characteristic vigour. He emphasised that if Kohli regains his typical intensity, spectators worldwide would witness him at his finest form.
"That is where the Australian team needs to leave him alone, and hope that he doesn't bring that intensity. If he brings that, then that just shuts everything out, and that's when he will be at his very best. But if stuff is going on and that intensity is not there, then you see that not the best version of Virat," he added.
