As the eagerly anticipated five-match Test series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy) between Australia and India nears, former Australian cricketer Ian Healy has outlined a bold strategy for his national team to neutralise one of the most formidable batters from India, Virat Kohli. Despite a challenging year in terms of form, Kohli remains the biggest threat to Australia, moreover the pressure will be on him to regain his best form in the BGT. Healy wants Australian bowlers to target Kohli’s front pad.
“The first matchup I’m looking at is how our quicks can bowl to Virat Kohli, and I think they should target his front pad quite often," Healy said while speaking to SEN Radio.
“He sits that front foot there and he can play from anywhere — he can play square on the off-side, he can whip onto the leg-side or he can rock back… but they’ve got to look for any sort of insecurity in his form and maybe target that front pad."
“Don’t do it every ball because he’ll get used to it… it’s the impact ball that has to be on the front pad after he is set up with seam."
Healy has also asked Australian bowlers to bowl Kohli in the body.
“Body bash. Bowl at the back armpit, that’s the right arm as a right-handed batsman… and it’s got to be hot," Healy said.
“Have him jumping at times if he wants to ride those deliveries — ducking, weaving or bending backwards. Get that short leg position right next to him on the leg side and if you need a bumper, it’s got to go at the badge. He might try to bust out of a hard spell with a hook shot or pull shot and that will be hard to control if it’s badge height".
“So that’s the second tactic, body bashing," he said.
Kohli’s recent struggles with the bat have been the talk of the town, however, this does not diminish his immense talent or experience, both of which make him a dangerous proposition for Australian bowling attack. Kohli enters the BGT on the back of disturbing figures as he has only scored 250 runs in last 6 matches at an average of 22.72.