Former Australia pacer Geoff Lawson described Virat Kohli as a ‘faux villain’ and believes that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will return to Australia this time.
Virat Kohli’s Upcoming Tour of Australia
The esteemed Virat Kohli is set to embark on his fifth tour of Australia later this year, as India gears up for a demanding five-Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli, a key figure in Indian cricket, has demonstrated exceptional performance against Australian teams, amassing 2,042 runs from 25 Tests at an average of 47.49. This impressive tally is the highest he has achieved against any Test-playing nation.
His second-best performance comes against England, where he has accumulated 1,991 runs from 28 Tests at an average of 42.36. Kohli’s previous tours to Australia have been notably successful: in the 2018/19 series, he led India to their first-ever Test series victory on Australian soil. Although he had to return home after participating in just one match during the 2020/21 series, his absence did not hinder the team’s performance, as Ajinkya Rahane stepped up to lead India to another memorable series win.
Changing Leadership and Team Dynamics
This tour marks a significant shift in team dynamics. Kohli, who previously captained India, is no longer in that role, and Ajinkya Rahane is not part of the current Test squad. Rohit Sharma has now assumed the captaincy and faces a monumental challenge: leading India to a third consecutive series victory in Australia. Such a feat would have seemed almost inconceivable a decade ago, highlighting the remarkable progress Indian cricket has made.
Kohli’s journey in Australia began 13 years ago when he scored his first Test century during his debut series. Over the following 21 Tests, he has further enriched his record with seven additional centuries against Australian teams, including a notable double century in Adelaide. His performance has cultivated a complex relationship with Australian crowds, characterized by both admiration and antagonism.
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The Potential for Kohli’s Final Australian Tour
At 35 years old, there is speculation about whether this could be Kohli’s final Test tour of Australia. However, former Australian cricketer Geoff Lawson suggests that regardless of whether this is Kohli’s last tour, he can expect a varied reception from the Australian fans. Even though Kohli is no longer the Indian captain, his competitive nature remains as fierce as ever.
Lawson recalls Kohli’s memorable interactions with the crowd from 2012, which left a lasting impression on Australian cricket fans. Despite his departure from captaincy, Kohli’s passion and competitive spirit continue to drive him. Lawson believes Kohli will likely play the role of the ‘faux villain’ during the series, contrasting with the more approachable Jasprit Bumrah, who will engage positively with the crowd.
Lawson’s view is that while Kohli might face some hostility as the antagonist, his performances—particularly if he scores significant runs—will earn him applause from the Australian audience. Kohli has historically thrived in Australian conditions, which have suited his aggressive batting style. The question for the 2024 series is whether he can still match the formidable Australian bowling attack on their home turf.
The Future of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which honors cricketing legends Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border, has been held by India since 2017, when they secured it from Australia with a 2-1 series victory at home. Despite Australia’s superior head-to-head Test record against India, the series has been closely contested in recent years, with India maintaining possession of the trophy through three subsequent series. Lawson believes that it is time for the trophy to return to Australia. He suggests that while Australian captain Pat Cummins may present a friendly facade, his competitive drive is intense.
Lawson indicates that some Australian players feel they have unfinished business with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He remarks that the trophy has been ‘loaned’ to the BCCI for a decade, and it is time for it to be reclaimed by Cricket Australia. Lawson asserts that although Australia currently holds the World Test Championship, a home series victory against India is crucial for stabilizing their position as the leading Test nation.
