Australian cricket legend Allan Border has lashed out at the Pat Cummins-led Australia cricket team for failing to keep Virat Kohli in check in the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Kohli’s majestic unbeaten century in the second innings lifted India to a resounding 295-run victory over Australia in the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Allan Border has warned that Virat Kohli’s resurgence could be a major turning point and jeopardize Pat Cummins’ lead in the ongoing five-match Test series against India.

Allan Border criticizes Australia’s tactics as Virat Kohli’s century seals India’s dominant victory in Perth Test

Kohli ended his 18-month Test century drought and silenced his critics with a dominant knock that not only reaffirmed his status as one of the world’s best but also restored his confidence ahead of the Test series. .

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The former Australian captain has expressed his disappointment in Australia’s tactics, particularly fielding placements and lack of early pressure, which he believes allowed the dashing right-handed batsman to find his rhythm without significant resistance at Optus Stadium.

Allan Border told SEN Radio: “I was very disappointed with the way we allowed Kohli to get to a hundred without much resistance. We don’t want this guy to be full of confidence for the rest of the series.”

Some tricks missed with Virat Kohli: Matthew Hayden

Border’s frustrations were echoed by fellow Australians Matthew Hayden and Mark Taylor, who criticized captain Pat Cummins for not presenting a more challenging field. With the absence of close fielders, Kohli was able to adapt to his innings and his confidence grew rapidly.

Matthew Hayden had told Channel 7: “They missed a few tricks with Virat Kohli in the first part of their innings. Nathan Lyon had a mid-back, an off-wicket catcher and a mid-wicket. I felt it was very easy for him to get out of the strike. You can’t give a fool a break when he’s under pressure like he is.

“The pitch we actually finished with (two slips, no dots, one straight man) also offered the outside edge of his bat. He found it a little more frustrating. By the time he had the bit between his teeth, it was too late.”

It will be a tough series for us if Kohli keeps playing like this: Border

Australia, meanwhile, faces the formidable challenge of correcting its tactical mistakes while devising a strategy to disrupt Kohli’s momentum before he firmly establishes its dominance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where India has already taken a 1-1 lead. 0.

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The Australian great predicted that the ongoing BGT 2024-25 will be a tough series for the hosts if they fail to keep Kohli quiet. Border signed off by saying, “If Kohli keeps playing like this, it could be a long and difficult series for us.”

Notably, India and Australia will lock horns in the second Test of the ongoing five-match Test series at the Adelaide Oval starting December 6. It will be a day and night affair, and the hosts would no doubt love to return. with the pink ball against India.