In a surprising development ahead of the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, an Australian player has sent the cricket community into a frenzy, calling Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli the “villain” of the upcoming series. The bold statement comes from former Australian cricketer Geoff Lawson, known for his outspoken opinions, who predicts that Kohli’s presence could add a new impetus to the series and shape the history of India vs Australia test matches.
The trophy is named after cricket legends Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has always been more than just a cricket series. It is a battleground for cricketing prowess and national pride. Now that the series begins in Australia, the stakes are high and expectations even higher, especially considering Kohli’s history of playing hot-button matches on Australian soil.
Lawson’s comments, while seemingly provocative, reflect the competitive spirit embodied by Virat Kohli. Known for his aggressive style of play, Kohli has often been at the center of controversy, especially in matches against Australia, where the rivalry is not just about cricket but the assertion of superiority in this gentleman’s game. By applying the ‘villain’ label, Lawson may be trying to emphasize Kohli’s role in the eyes of Australian fans and players as an antagonist, someone who challenges the status quo and pushes the boundaries of cricketing etiquette. “Compared to Jasprit Bumrah’s sympathetic nature.
“Virat Kohli would be playing the wrong villain. “Bumrah has the privilege of a fast bowler having spent half his life on sound legs, which gives him an ideal opportunity to engage with the crowd and win smiles and hearts, while Kohli lurks in the infield, makes loud appeals, takes brilliant catches and engages verbally. There will be one or two of them for every Australian player open to a chat,” Lawson told Midday.”
Expectations about Kohli’s performance are not unfounded. His tours of Australia so far have been characterized by memorable innings, controversial moments, and a major influence on the outcome of a series. Kohli’s ability to inspire his team, his ruthless batsmanship, and his confrontational style towards opponents have made him a figure who draws both admiration and ire in the cricketing world.
“Australian crowds love a player like Kohli. They may give him a little grief for playing the villain but rest assured that there will be a huge applause from the fans when he hits his fifties and centuries. He has found favour in the Australian climate since his first tour 13 years ago. The bounce and speed suited his two-footed game. But the question for 2024 is whether he still has the sharp enough edge to break down the Australian attack on his home pitch. I have no intention of sacking him,” the former cricketer added regarding Border-Gavaskar Trophy.“
But this series has a special significance. Kohli, preparing for his fifth tour of Australia, will be looking to add a new chapter to his illustrious career. Australian conditions, notoriously tough for batsmen especially from the subcontinent, have been a litmus test for Kohli’s abilities so far. Given his track record and the psychological impact he has on both his team and opponents, his performance could well decide the outcome of the series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy).
The Australian cricket fraternity’s reaction to Lawson’s statement about Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Reactions to Lawson’s statements from the Australian cricket community were mixed. While some see this as a strategy to unsettle Kohli, others feel it may backfire and only fuel Kohli’s notorious competitive spirit. The buzz on social media platforms is whether this will be Kohli’s big moment or whether the Australian team will be able to dethrone the ‘villain’ on home soil.
With the cricketing world watching, the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be as much drama as it is cricket, with Virat Kohli at the center of it all. It remains to be seen whether he will embrace the role of the ‘villain’ or turn it into a story of redemption and triumph, but one thing is for sure, cricket fans are in for a treat as Kohli’s every move is garnering attention.
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