Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli likes the challenge Australian pose on their home soil. Kohli has willed India assert dominance over the Australian side and the crowd has had a love-hate relationship with him. Months ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, former Australian pacer Geoff Lawson made a strange remark as he branded Kohli the "faux villain" to India's bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah's "likeable nature".
While Kohli is known for his aggression and intimidating the opposition, Bumrah takes a different route. He rarely loses his cool and at times celebrates a wicket by just spreading his arms.
"Virat Kohli will play the faux villain to Jasprit Bumrah's likeable nature. Bumrah has the fast bowlers privilege of [spending] half a life at fine leg which gives him the ideal chance to interact with the crowd, winning smiles and hearts while Kohli will lurk in the infield appealing vociferously, fielding magnificently and engaging verbally with any Australian player so inclined to conversation, and there will be one or two of those," Lawson told Mid-day.
Kohli’s numbers on Australian soil in whites
Kohli has played 13 Tests on Australian soil. He has 1,352 runs from 25 innings at an average of 53.14 including six centuries and four half-centuries. Lawson feels that the conditions in Australia suit his game.
"Aussie crowds love a competitor like Kohli, they may give him some grief if he plays the antagonist but you can guarantee that if he makes 50s and 100s he will be loudly applauded by the fans. He has shown a liking for Australian conditions ever since his first tour 13 years ago. Bounce and pace suited his two-footed game but the question in 2024 is whether he still has the razor sharpness to best Australia’s attack on their home surfaces. I wouldn't count him out," the 66-year-old added.
Lawson’s numbers
Lawson has represented Australia in 46 Tests. He has 180 wickets in Tests including 11 five-wicket hauls. His career-match figures of 11 wickets for 134 runs came against England in Ashes 1982-83. He has played 79 ODIs and taken 88 wickets at an average of 29.45. He made his last appearance in international cricket in 1989.
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