Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has emphasised the pivotal role that Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will play in India's hopes of securing a victory over Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As India aim for a historic third consecutive series win against Australia in this high-profile series, Clarke believes that Kohli's experience and Pant's aggressive style will be crucial to India's success.
The intense rivalry between India and Australia will be on full display when Border-Gavaskar Trophy gets underway from November 22.
"Virat Kohli's record in Australia is phenomenal. I actually think his record is better than what it is in India. I think he's got six hundreds in 13 Tests in Australia," Clarke said.
"If India are to win this series, it has to be Virat Kohli leading run scorer with Rishabh Pant just behind," Clarke said.
Despite going through a prolonged lean patch this year, Kohli's class and temperament are undeniable, and Clarke has highlighted how important it will be for India to have him firing in this series. Virat Kohli, in his 25 Test matches against Australia, has scored 2,042 runs at an average of 47.48. He has hammered eight centuries.