Hindustan Times (Patiala)

Australia look to create doubts in Kohli’s mind

- HT Correspond­ent sportsdesk@hindustant­imes.com

NEWDELHI: Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell admitted India captain Virat Kohli is going through a super spell with the bat but said it only takes a bit of bad luck to trigger indecision or doubt. According to a report on cricket.com.au, Maxwell said Australia would be looking to create that doubt in Kohli during the four-Test series against India later this month. “I don’t think it’s anything particular as far as technique or anything like that, I just think he’s so on top of his game at the moment,” Maxwell said. “Guys can go through a run of form like that where they just get on a roll and everything seems to click for them, and that’s happened for him at the moment. “The thing with that is it can take only one bit of bad luck or an unfortunat­e dismissal where he’s run out or something, and that can sometimes trigger a little bit of indecision or doubt. So hopefully in the first couple of Tests we can create that doubt and get him wondering about his technique.” Maxwell said Australia have been watching Kohli closely over the past few months. “We’ve obviously been watching him play over the last few months and just admired the way that he’s gone about it. “He’s been extremely consistent and he’s gone on to score big hundreds, which is something he didn’t do very much in the early part of his career but now he’s making big double-hundreds and really winning the game for India,” he said. Australia captain Steve Smith has endorsed sledging India during this series but Maxwell said he wouldn’t attempt that against Kohli. “I’m probably not going to say anything to him, that’s for sure,” he said. “Virat is up and down, I suppose, with sledging. If you (strike) a chord with him, or something gets him agitated to play a big shot, then blokes are more than welcome to go for it. But at the moment, there’s not much agitating him,” he said. “Smith said it perfectly in the press conference yesterday – the guys that want to get involved verbally, if that gets the best out of them then go for it.”

 ?? AP ?? Virat Kohli scored four centuries in as many Tests the last time India toured Down Under.
AP Virat Kohli scored four centuries in as many Tests the last time India toured Down Under.

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