Target 'Under-Pressure' Virat Kohli in McGrath's Stern Message: 'Go Hard, Make Him Fight'

Whenever India tours Australia, it often becomes a test of mental strength and endurance, just as much as it is a test of cricketing skills. Recognized for their aggressive tactics and attempts to unsettle visiting teams, the Australian cricket team sees this as an opportunity to exploit the vulnerabilities of India's key players, such as the fiery Virat Kohli. Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes that getting under the skin of India's star players could give the Aussies an edge in the upcoming series.

Speaking on CODE Sports, McGrath stated that the Australians have plenty of material to try and get under the skin of the Indian unit. “Without a doubt, especially after coming off a 3-0 loss against New Zealand, you’ve got plenty of ammunition to back yourself up,” said McGrath. “So put the pressure on them and see if they’re up for it.”

India did suffer a torrid home series defeat against New Zealand, thoroughly outplayed by the Kiwis as they lost a series at home for the first time in 12 years, and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a bounce-back opportunity.

“If they go hard at [Kohli], if he gets in the fight with emotions, there’s a bit of chat out there, who knows he might sort of lift,” continued McGrath, in particular about India’s star batter. “But I think he’s probably under pressure a little bit, and if he has a couple of low scores to start with, he could really feel it.”

While teams of McGrath’s era were all too happy to sledge and dominate opposition verbally, the Australian team under Pat Cummins tries to play cricket under a different set of rules to that of years past.

However, although they have lost the two previous BGT series at home, the Aussies might have a slight pre-existing mental edge due to the twin victories in the WTC and ODI World Cup finals in 2023.

Nevertheless, with Australia trying to take back to Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in 10 years, Cummins and company could do with a competitive edge, which could begin by neutralising India’s most prominent and senior batter in the team.

“I think he’s quite an emotional player. When he’s up, he’s up, and when he’s down, he sort of struggles a little bit,” concluded the legendary Australian bowler. However, sledging Kohli is something that has failed to work against the Indian batter in the past, with Kohli always ready to give back as good as he gets, and often more fired-up by aggression than anything else.

India’s tour of Australia begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.