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Australian coach Andrew McDonald has explained how the hosts managed to keep Virat Kohli quiet in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. After the end of play on the second day in Sydney, McDonald shed light on his well-executed plan that has put the Indian batting maestro under constant pressure throughout the five-match Test. series.
The battle between Virat Kohli and the Australian bowlers has been a fascinating story in the high-profile Test series. Australia was once Kohli’s hunting ground, but this time he had a forgettable Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, thanks to the shrewd strategy of Andrew McDonald and his bowlers.
Andrew McDonald reveals the secrets behind Australia’s tactical dominance against Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s consistent failure against balls that were bowled just outside the stumps disappointed everyone as he ended the five-match Test series with just 190 runs in nine innings. He only broke a ton in the Perth Test. His scores in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy were: 5, 100*, 7, 11, 3, 36, 5, 17 and 6 against Australia.
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Scott Boland was the man to worry Virat Kohli the most in the Test series as the Indian batting icon lost his wicket to the seamer four times while Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc dismissed him twice in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Meanwhile, Andrew McDonald admitted that dismissing Kohli is never easy but credited his bowlers for their precision and relentless focus in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
It is never easy to take out Virat: Andrew McDonald
Scott Boland won this tactical duel most of the time against Kohli, who has tried to counter Australia’s strategies by coming out of his crease and trying different tactics, but has failed every time. And McDonald said his bowlers, with their remarkable accuracy and clever adjustments, have managed to stay one step ahead, keeping Kohli on the back foot.
Andrew McDonald told reporters during the post-match press conference after the end of Day 2 of the New Year’s Test: “No, it’s never easy to get Virat out. I give full credit to the bowlers and the execution of the plan. It’s one thing to have a plan, but then being able to execute it the way we have with Virat has put him under immense pressure.”
McDonald added: “And look, he’s tried some things. He’s come out of his fold. He’s tried different tactics as well. But, you know, obviously the relentless nature of Scotty Bolin in particular in this matchup has been incredibly hard to fight. But he’s never an easy port, no.”
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Andrew McDonald reacts to the Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas incident at the SCG
The Australian coach also shared his views on the jasprit bumrah– Sam Konstas incident on day 1 of the fifth and final test in progress at the SCG. McDonald said there were no fines or punishments, so such an intimidating celebration is acceptable, so they have no problem.
He signed off by saying: “So I’ll leave it to the ICC. And obviously the match referee and the umpires were out there. So if they thought it was satisfactory, then I guess that’s the benchmark we’re playing to.” .
