Brett Lee backs Virat Kohli to shine in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee has backed Virat Kohli to deliver in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting on November 22 at Perth's Optus Stadium. This is despite Kohli's recent form, where he managed to score less than 100 runs combined in the Test series against New Zealand. Lee brushed aside worries about Kohli's form, saying he believes the Indian cricketer will shine in Australia, thanks to his phenomenal record there.
Lee praises Kohli's 'Australian mentality'
Lee also praised Kohli's resilience and competitive spirit, saying he has an "Australian mentality." Speaking to Fox Cricket, he said, "he's got a never-say-die attitude. He doesn't mind getting into a scrap. He doesn't mind having a crack." The former Australian fast bowler also stressed on Kohli's vast experience in the sport, which he feels will be an asset in the upcoming series.
Kohli's impressive record in Australia
Kohli has an incredible record in Australia, having scored 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08 in Test cricket. He also has six centuries on Australian soil, a record no other Indian batter has. Lee pointed to this record as proof of Kohli's ability to succeed in the upcoming series, saying "When he comes out here, he has a great record in Australia."
Lee compares Kohli to Tendulkar
In a previous statement, Lee had compared Kohli to Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. He had advised players not to be intimidated by Kohli's reputation but instead treat him as any other batter. "You can get overawed by the stature of the guy and the history and what he has achieved, but the thing with Kohli is that he loves to get into a scrap," Lee had said.
Warner echoes Lee's confidence in Kohli
Former Australian cricketer David Warner echoed Lee's faith in Kohli's ability to deliver in the upcoming series. Writing in the Herald Sun, Warner said he was worried that Kohli could "pile on some runs" against Australia. He hinted that Kohli could use this opportunity to silence critics and prove his worth once again.
