NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli will be in the spotlight as India prepare to face Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting on November 22 in Perth. All eyes will be on the star batter as he aims to overcome recent struggles and make history on Australian soil.
Despite a recent dip in form, Kohli has a strong track record in Australia, making it an ideal setting for him to rediscover his peak performance and leave a lasting legacy.
Kohli is on the verge of achieving several significant milestones during this series.* One of the most notable milestones within Kohli’s reach is surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 1,809 Test runs in Australia. Kohli currently sits at 1,352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08, needing 458 more runs to claim the top spot for an Indian batter.
* Kohli is also closing in on the record for most Test centuries by a visiting player in Australia. He currently holds six centuries, putting him within striking distance of surpassing English legends Jack Hobbs (nine centuries) and Wally Hammond (seven centuries).
* The Adelaide Oval holds a special place in Kohli’s heart, as it’s his most successful Australian venue. He has amassed 509 runs in four Tests there, averaging an impressive 63.62. With 102 more runs, he can surpass Brian Lara’s tally of 610 runs and become the highest-scoring visiting batter at this iconic ground.
* Beyond Test cricket, Kohli is also in contention to top the list for most fifty-plus scores in international cricket by a visiting batter in Australia. He currently boasts an impressive 30 fifty-plus scores across all formats (11 centuries, 19 fifties), putting him in the running alongside legends Viv Richards (42) and Desmond Haynes (34).
* Kohli’s consistent performance in Australia extends to overall international runs. He has accumulated 3,426 runs across all formats, putting him 126 runs ahead of Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 3,300 runs. He’s also aiming to become the first Indian to reach 4,000 international runs on Australian soil, requiring 574 more runs to achieve this milestone.
* The Adelaide Oval has been particularly kind to Kohli, as he’s already notched five centuries at the venue. Scoring another century there wouldn’t just make him the first visiting player to reach 1,000 runs at the venue, but also surpass Jack Hobbs’ record of five centuries at the MCG.
* This series will mark Kohli’s 100th international match against Australia, likely during the third Test at The Gabba. This achievement would make him the second Indian to reach this milestone, joining the ranks of Sachin Tendulkar who has played 110 matches against the Aussies.
* Kohli’s current tally of 16 centuries against Australia puts him in a strong position to chase down Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 20 international centuries against the Aussies.
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Having faced a challenging year with the bat, scoring just 488 runs in 19 matches across formats at an average of 20.33, Kohli will be eager to use this series as a platform for redemption. Australia has historically been a happy hunting ground for him, and his performance in this series holds the potential to shape not only the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also cement his legacy in Test cricket.
The series begins on November 22 in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide, The Gabba, and the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The final Test will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3, 2025.
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