AUS vs IND 2025: Former India Coach Backs Virat Kohli to Regain Rhythm After Perth Struggle – “He Knows How to Play”
After a duck in Perth, Nayar backs Kohli to return stronger in Adelaide, praising his mindset and belief in his process.
Virat Kohli’s long-awaited return to international cricket didn’t go as planned. After seven months away, the Indian star was dismissed for a duck in the first ODI against Australia in Perth, lasting just eight balls before edging a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc to backward point.
Australia’s pace attack kept Kohli quiet, using tight lines and back-of-the-length deliveries outside off stump, an area bowlers often target against him. Despite the early setback, former India cricketer Abhishek Nayar believes Kohli will bounce back with the same intensity that has defined his career.
“From all the time I’ve spent with him, I can say he knows how to play with passion and aggression. He’ll back himself every time,” Nayar said. “There will be plenty of talk about his struggles with deliveries outside off-stump, but he’ll go back, reflect, visualise, and meditate to get into his zone.”
Nayar added that Kohli’s mindset remains his biggest strength.
“He’ll work on rekindling the mindset of the old, classic Virat Kohli. He’ll focus on playing freely, without worrying about the result, because that’s out of his control. His main focus will be on the process.”
According to Nayar, both Kohli and opposing teams are fully aware of the tactics used against him.
“If you ask anyone, they’ll tell you that when Virat is at the crease, the plan is usually to bowl a back-of-the-length delivery outside off-stump. Both Virat and the opposition are well aware of that,” he said.
Nayar also pointed out that the match situation often shapes Kohli’s approach.
“It’s all about execution and managing pressure. It also depends on the situation when he walks in. If Virat comes to bat after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have already put up 70 runs in the first 10 overs, it’s a different scenario. But if he comes at the start, it changes everything.”
As India head into the must-win second ODI in Adelaide, the focus will be on how Kohli responds.
