Legendary Australian cricketer Greg Chappell said the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a defining series for the legacies of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith. Chappell highlighted why batting is becoming more difficult for older players, contrary to popular perception, and added that the ability to rekindle youthful hunger will be key for the big three stars.

Greg Chappell highlighted Virat Kohli’s struggles in Test cricket in the recent past and said the poor run would have definitely bothered the former captain. The former India coach said Kohli needs to combine his unparalleled intensity with patience and focus as he looks to achieve a purple streak in the five-Test series, which begins on November 22 in Australia.

Virat Kohli dropped out of top 20 in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings for the first time since 2014 after their failure in the home series against New Zealand, which India surprisingly lost 0-3. Kohli managed just 93 runs and looked susceptible against the New Zealand spinners, who ran rampant on spin-friendly pitches in Mumbai in Pune.

“For Kohli, the task is one of rejuvenation. Known for his unparalleled intensity, passion and high standards, Kohli’s recent troubles will have upset him,” Chappell wrote in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald.

“The aggressive mindset that propelled him to greatness must now coexist with patience and focus. He enters this series eager to reiterate his authority as the most formidable Indian batsman of his generation,” he added.

Kohli has averaged 22.72 in six Tests in 2024 but will take confidence from his sensational record in Australia – 1352 runs in 13 matches at an average of 54.08.

CHAPPELL REMEMBERS CONVESATION WITH SACHIN TENDULKAR

Chappell recalled one of his conversations with Sachin Tendulkar, explaining why concentrating is the most difficult thing for older batsmen.

“I explained to him that the mental demands of batting intensify with age. Batting becomes more difficult because you realize how difficult it is to make runs at this level and how difficult it is to maintain the mental focus that is required to be successful. “, said. Australian batting legend wrote.

He said that “it is not eyesight or reflexes that decline” when a player begins to age, but rather “it is the intense concentration required that becomes more difficult to maintain.”

“When you are younger, your mind focuses on making runs. As you get older, the opponent has made more efforts to find your weaknesses and you are more aware of the conditions and situation of the game. As a young player, don’t worry. Because of the conditions or the situation of the game, you only see the ball and how to make runs.

“If you want to play like you did when you were a younger player, you have to rekindle the attitude and thought processes that you had when you were a younger player. That’s the biggest challenge for the aging player,” he said.

India will be counting on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to step up and deliver, but the two stalwarts will be under pressure after failing in the home series against New Zealand.

India will head into the first Test in Perth without a prior practice game. Rohit Sharma and his men will train at the central ground later having canceled their tour match against Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India A.