Cheteshwar Pujara has offered strategic insights to help Virat Kohli rediscover his form ahead of the third Test of the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The next Boxing Day Test match will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 26.
The veteran Indian batsman stressed that Virat Kohli needs to focus on addressing the challenges of off-stump deliveries in the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. He believes that a change in mindset and a disciplined approach could be the key to countering these challenges.
Cheteshwar Pujara suggests key tweaks for Virat Kohli to overcome off-stump woes
Pujara also pointed out that the break between the third and fourth Test matches gives Kohli an opportunity to mentally reset and approach the next match with a fresh perspective. Notably, the Gabba Test ended on 18 December.
Also Read: KL Rahul injured ahead of MCG Test? A fresh injury scare stuns Team India
Cheteshwar Pujara said on Star Sports, “Virat Kohli will definitely feel the off-stump channel coming out more. But for that, it is important for him to bring about a change in his mindset. Second, they should do well in practice. So, somewhere or other, they are doing well in practice.
Second, the good thing is that the time between the third and fourth matches is enough. So you can be a little relaxed mentally there. With a fresh mindset, where you know you can start again. You have to forget what happened in the first three Tests.”
Cheteshwar Pujara says Virat Kohli should focus on getting off to a solid start at the MCG
Additionally, Cheteshwar Pujara feels that Virat Kohli should focus on getting off to a solid start, aiming for small milestones like scoring 20-30 runs initially and facing enough deliveries to build his confidence ahead of to go after the Australian bowlers in the next Boxing Day Test.
According to Pujara, surviving the challenging early phase of the innings will help the Indian batting icon settle down and capitalize on his strengths and get the big score that India badly need from him in the upcoming fourth Test against Australia as well as the ongoing Test series. is tied 1-1 and they cannot afford a defeat at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The right-handed batsman believes this strategic approach will allow Kohli to regain momentum and unleash his potential for the Indian cricket team, which survived a loss in the third Test of the remainder of the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy- 25, in progress, against Australia.
He needs to bring that confidence: Pujara
Pujara signed off saying, “It will be important for Virat to get off to a good start. It starts well. Score 20-30 runs well and carefully. How to do it strategically is up to him. But this figure is important. Because once he scores 20-30 runs and faces 50-60-70 balls, he will get that confidence. So it is necessary for him to bring that confidence. And if he does well in the first 20-30-45 minutes, then the time after that will be easy for him to score big.”
Remarkably, Kohli has so far scored just 126 runs in the five innings of the ongoing five-match Test series in Australia as India battle for a place in the 2023-25 WTC Final.