The cricketing world watches with bated breath as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025 unfolds, especially when it comes to the narrative of Virat Kohli. After painting a masterpiece with his 81st international century against Australia in Perth, Kohli’s form took a surprising dip in the Adelaide Test, where he managed only 7 and 11 runs. This unexpected lull in his otherwise stellar career has set the stage for a dramatic turnaround as India prepares for the third Test at the Gabba, a ground with its own lore in cricket history. Following the Adelaide defeat, Virat Kohli was quick to the nets, not wasting a moment to refine his game for the challenges ahead.
“Yes, whatever little I have seen him batting in the nets today. I have played a lot of cricket with him. He is a front foot player. Knowing the bounce on Indian soil, you have to be on your front foot. The people who have played here, the likes of Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Langer, Hayden. They were good back foot players, because of the bounce. It is the kind of bounce you get in Australia, you have to be good player of bounce. You need to have a good backfoot game. That’s what he was practising,” Harbhajan told Star Sports.
Harbhajan Singh, who has both played with Kohli and observed his evolution as a cricketer, offers a unique perspective on Kohli’s training regime. The former spinner’s insights reveal a strategic overhaul in Kohli’s approach to batting, particularly focusing on his backfoot play. This is not just about adapting to the Gabba’s conditions but about Kohli’s personal quest for redemption after a rare off-day.
“Specifically I have noticed today. He was playing a lot of deliveries on the backfoot. He was going forward for the fuller ball but those balls which were slightly shorter than the length of full ball, he was either leaving or trying to play them. The ball from the back foot, he knows that Gabba will be a different wicket where he will get to face a lot of bounce and pace and that back foot game needs to be included in his game. Good to see him working on the game. I am sure, knowing Virat Kohli, we have seen him making a comeback after every setback,” he added.
Harbhajan’s commentary not only underscores the technical adjustments Virat Kohli is making but also reflects a belief in Kohli’s resilience. The Gabba, notorious for its pace and bounce, demands a different kind of cricket from visitors, and Kohli’s focus on this aspect of his game speaks volumes about his preparation. It’s a testament to his understanding that at the highest level, success often hinges on one’s ability to adapt to varying conditions.
In conclusion, as the battle at the Gabba looms, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli, not just for his scoring prowess but for how he has recalibrated his approach to meet the Australian challenge head-on. Harbhajan Singh’s observations paint a picture of a player in transition, one who is not content with past glories but is eager to add new chapters to his storied career. If Virat Kohli can harness this preparation into performance, it might not only be a personal triumph but could also sway the series in India’s favor, showcasing once again why he is regarded as one of the finest cricketers of his generation.
