Legendary Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has offered some valuable advice to Virat Kohli after the Indian batting icon failed to deliver in the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Adelaide Oval.
Kohli endured a disappointing outing in the Day-Night Test against Australia in Adelaide, where he was dismissed for just 7 and 11 after scoring an unbeaten century in the first Test in Perth. After India suffered a crushing 10-wicket loss to Australia in the second Test, Adam Gilchrist said that Virat Kohli might benefit from adopting a more patient approach.
Adam Gilchrist urges Virat Kohli to embrace patience after disappointing Adelaide Test
The former Australian wicketkeeper-batter has recalled how Sachin Tendulkar famously displayed his patient approach during his remarkable knock in Sydney in 2004, and he feels the same approach would help the former Indian captain in the ongoing five-match Test series between India and Australia.
Virat Kohli has struggled with edging deliveries behind the stumps so far in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, and Adam Gilchrist feels it may be time for the right-handed batter to refine his strategy.
He pointed out how Sachin Tendulkar, when facing a similar challenge, avoided chasing deliveries outside the off stump and focused on playing a patient and disciplined game; that’s something Kohli must follow in the remaining Test matches.
It’s more about battle between your ears: Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz: “The biggest battle, is not with what’s coming towards you from the bowler or the skill of the opposition, it’s more about battle between your ears. So, not suggesting that Virat scrambled any sense, but maybe he’s got to try and hone in on what Sachin Tendulkar did at the SCG. And say ‘right he’d say, right, I’m not gonna go chase anything outside off stump. You come to me.’ You just play the patience game.”
The cricket pundit has also emphasized that the biggest battle of the game is often mental, so Kohli must draw inspiration from Tendulkar’s calmness and resilience during tough times.
He believes that Kohli already has vast experience and mental toughness, so he should embrace the patience game and take his game to new heights in the ongoing Test series in Australia.
Adam Gilchrist urges Virat Kohli to refine his strategy just like Sachin Tendulkar
Gilchrist added, “He’s got enough experience under his belt to know that he’s mentally tough. He’s carried the weight of expectation since U-19 level, entering the IPL and becoming the icon that is. He should be able to say to himself, I’m going to do what’s within my capacity to do the best thing for the team and if it’s a long patient game, so be it. If you play long enough, you’re probably gonna have to evolve with different ways and this might be an opportunity for Virat to do that.”
Notably, Sachin Tendulkar’s unbeaten knock of 241 runs against Australia at the SCG in 2004 is iconic for its discipline and strategy. Tendulkar, who was struggling with deliveries outside the off stump, avoided playing his trademark cover drive and this bold decision neutralized Australia’s attack.