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Travis Head feels that Virat Kohli is too good to be out of form for long and is very likely to be a big threat in the upcoming series.
Virat Kohli has not been in his best form of late. (Image: Sportzpics)
Despite his poor returns with the bat of late, Australia’s middle-order Test batter, Travis Head remains wary of Virat Kohli’s class with the willow and reckons that he could have his moments in the gruelling five-match Test series set to begin on November 22.
Head explained that the Australian side has looked at their options against each player in the Indian squad and hopes that Kohli is not able to get going much in the upcoming battle between two of the best Test nations at present.
“No doubt, we will go through all their players, can’t wait to start well against them. Virat’s going to have his moments in this series, hopefully not too many of them,” Head told the media at the Optus Stadium after Australia’s training session.
The left-handed batter feels that Kohli’s dry run has to end at some point which is something the Aussies have to respect looking at his class but also hopes that the hosts have a few moments of their own which will get them the win.
“He is a world-class player. Throughout five Tests, he is going to play well at some stage. We have to understand and respect that. Hopefully, the players on our side also have their moments in the series,” said the left-handed batter.
Head also emphasised Kohli’s stature within the sport and hinted that the closed training sessions could have taken some pressure off to let him play more freely in the nets.
“He is pretty big. Everyone talks about Virat, wherever he goes. Maybe the closed sessions give him a bit of freedom, a bit of space,” he said.
“There won’t be a series where you would play India and you wouldn’t talk about Kohli,” Head added.
Speaking about the upcoming battle, Head does not intend to underestimate the Indian side even if some big names are not going to be playing in the series opener. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will not be taking part in the first Test but Head feels that despite their absence, India still are a force to be reckoned with.
“If you look at our history, you would not rule out any Indian team,” he said.
“In the last two trips, they’ve had injuries and doubts, and people questioned them, but they pulled off incredible performances. Whoever they play, it’s going to be a strong team,” he added.
(with PTI Inputs)
