Don't poke Virat Kohli: Former Aussie all-rounder warns Pat Cummins & Co ahead of BGT 2024/25 opener

Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has urged Pat Cummins & Coagainst engaging with Virat Kohli in heated on-field exchanges in the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024/25 edition, in Australia. Ahead of the first Test, which gets underway on Friday (Nov 22) in Perth, Watsonsuggested that Kohli might pose less of a threat if he is left undisturbed by the Australians. Kohli is heading into this year's BGT following a poor run in India's home season. In India's five Tests at home, against Bangladesh (two) and New Zealand (three) respectively, the right-hander managed only 191 runs at an average of 21.33 with a solitary fifty. Since 2020, Kohli has slammed only two hundreds in the purest format.

Talking about Kohli, Watson said in the Willow Talk Podcast, "The one thing that I know of Virat is... because the fire burns so brightly and deep inside him, the intensity he brings to every ball that he is engaged in a game has been superhuman. But, there have been in recent times where moments in this career that fire has started to go out because it is just so hard to maintain that intensity in every moment he is involved in a game. And, that is where Australia have to leave him alone and hope he doesn't bring the intensity – nine out of 10 intensity – to every ball," he further opined.

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Watson recalled Kohli's past success in Australia and added, "When he has succeeded in Australia, it’s because he has been completely engaged with everything happening on the field. Every ball, every moment — he is fiercely intense, and that focus blocks out all distractions. That’s when he’s at his absolute best. If there’s noise around him and that intensity isn’t there, you’ll see a lesser version of Virat. From an Australian perspective, let’s hope we get that version of him."

In Australia, Kohli averages an impressive54.08 and has amassed 1,352 runs in 13 Tests, including six hundreds and four half-centuries. For India, they will be hoping for Kohli's return to form from the series opener. The visitors are already without regular captain Rohit Sharma (out on paternity leave).

The first Test commences on Friday(Nov 22)morning at the Perth Stadium, Perth.