Adam Gilchrist is expecting Virat Kohli to do an encore of 2014-15 Test series but for India to win the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the other batsmen will have to rally around their talismanic skipper.
The first Test starts in Adelaide on December 6 and last time around, Kohli had scored hundreds in both innings in India's heartbreaking loss.
“Going ahead into the Test series, I expect Virat Kohli will have another imperious outing like he did in 2014 (694 runs in 4 Tests at average 86.50). I have spoken with him these last few days, seen his confidence, and seeing the way he batted in Sydney, I will be very surprised if he doesn’t," he added.
When asked if there could be a particular ploy from Australia to stop Kohli, Gilchrist replied,"I don't think I will be able to pinpoint a plan because I don't know. At best, Australia will have to be patient. They will have to play good old-fashioned Test cricket. Their best hope is to make early inroads in the Indian batting and bowl at Kohli with the new ball.
Gilchrist conceded that India start favourites but added that it won't take too much for Australia to be dominant in their own conditions.
"Maybe 1-2 spots will be up for grabs but otherwise their playing eleven is very much set. I think India have a stable Test team. Whereas if you look at Australia, I don't think their selectors are quite sure about the line-up or team balance. This is a new phase for Australian cricket," Gilchrist added.
India have been beset with batting problems on their two overseas tours this year. In South Africa, they lost 2-1 and then 4-1 in England, albeit the team was overall competitive in both series on the back of Kohli's form and the Indian pace attack.
The series has lost some sheen with the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner, both of whom are serving yearlong bans for the ball tampering scandal in South Africa earlier in March.
Gilchrist opined that there is no way Australia will be able to replace the duo.
"He is the best batsman in the world across formats but until the ban Smith was right up there, particularly in Test cricket. Warner can be very damaging and this is a massive hole. Their absence makes it a more open series for India and all the more difficult for Australia."
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