Winning the Kohli battle a massive step

DURING the first innings of the first Test, India’s top order tried to bat like Virat Kohli.

Yesterday Kohli tried to bat like the admirable brick with pads, Cheteshwar Pujara.

Australia is losing the war but winning the Kohli battle by forcing the master to change his game.

Never has he scored at a slower rate in an innings of 30 or more.

The Aussies got him in the end, caught at short leg off Nathan Lyon, for a slow-fused 34. In so many ways it was a totally unspectacular innings which will soon vanish into the mist of time.

Yet it shows how desperate Kohli is to become the first Indian captain to win a series against Australia in Australia.

The man who reached 1000 runs in Tests in Australia in fewer innings than Don Bradman, put away his fancy cape and donned the blue overalls. He may have used the drive only sparingly yesterday but was still a driven man.

The impact of Kohli’s dismissal was such that within seconds of his dismissal Australia’s odds were shaved from $10 to $5. If India bats far be- yond lunch today, Australia may be back at $10 again.

This is a fascinating struggle between two teams with so much to prove.

With just three off-shore series wins in its last 13 rubbers – against Sri Lanka and the West Indies – India is as much on trial as Australia in this Test.

If the Indians lose this game from such a strong position, they will be inconsolable.