Australian head coach Andrew McDonald explained how the hosts managed to keep Virat Kohli quiet in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. After the conclusion of day two's play in Sydney, McDonald shed light on their well-executed plan that put the Indian batting maestro under constant pressure throughout the five-match Test. series.
The battle between Virat Kohli and the Australian bowlers has been a fascinating story in the high-stakes Test series. Australia was once Kohli's hunting ground, but this time it had a Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 to forget, thanks to Andrew McDonald and his bowlers' wily strategy.
Andrew McDonald reveals the secrets behind Australia's tactical dominance against Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli's consistent failure against balls that were pitched just outside the off-stump disappointed everyone as he ended the five-match Test series with just 190 runs in nine innings. He only cracked a ton in the Perth Test. His scores in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 were: 5, 100*, 7, 11, 3, 36, 5, 17 and 6 against Australia.
Also Read: Watch: Jasprit Bumrah faces shocking allegations of using sandpaper during Sydney Test
Scott Boland was the man to trouble Virat Kohli the most in the Test series as the Indian batting icon lost his wicket to the seamer four times while Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc dismissed him twice in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Meanwhile, Andrew McDonald admitted that dismissing Kohli is never easy but credited his bowlers for their precision and relentless approach in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
It's never easy to get Virat out: Andrew McDonald
Scott Boland won this tactical duel most of the time against Kohli who tried to counter Australia's strategies by going all out and trying different tactics but failed every time. And McDonald said his bowlers, with their remarkable accuracy and clever adjustments, managed to stay one step ahead, keeping Kohli on the back foot.
Andrew McDonald told reporters during the post-match press conference after the conclusion of Day 2 of the New Year Test: “No, it's never easy to get Virat out. I give full credit to the bowlers and the execution of the plan. It's one thing to have a plan, but then to be able to execute it like we have for Virat, it puts him under immense pressure.”
McDonald added: “And look, he tried some things. He came out of his fold. He also tried different tactics. But, you know, clearly the relentless nature of Scotty Bolin in particular in that matchup was incredibly difficult for him to deal with. But he is never an easy port, no.
Also Read: Sourav Ganguly's Daughter Sana Involved In Scary Car Accident As Bus Hits Her Vehicle
Andrew McDonald reacts to the Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas incident at the SCG
The Aussie coach shared his views on jasprit bumrah– The Sam Konstas incident on Day 1 of the ongoing fifth and final Test at the SCG. McDonald said that there were no fines or punishments, so such an intimidating celebration is acceptable, so they are not in trouble.
He signed off saying: “So I will leave it to the ICC. And obviously the match referee and the umpires were there. So if they thought it was satisfactory, then that's, I guess that's the benchmark we're playing at.”