Kohli scored such a century that flowers started falling from the mouth of Ponting who was taunting him/her.

Adelaide. Indian cricket team’s star batsman Virat Kohli has given a befitting reply to his/her critics by scoring a century in the first match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Before the start of the series, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting had taunted him/her. Now after seeing Virat’s century, he/she is advising his/her team’s flopping Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to learn a lesson. Both the batsmen, who are struggling to score runs, have been advised to trust their game like India’s star batsman Virat Kohli to get back into form in the remaining four Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In the first Test match played in Perth, Labuschagne was seen struggling against the Indian fast bowlers. he/she scored two and three runs in this match. Australia had to face a crushing defeat in this match by 295 runs. Smith also struggled against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj in the first Test match. This star batsman of Australia could not open his/her account in the first innings, whereas in the second innings he/she scored 17 runs on 60 balls.

Ponting said in the ICC review, “Of all the batsmen in Perth, Marnus was seen struggling the most. It is true that the wicket was difficult and the Indian bowlers were bowling brilliantly but they have to find a way to change it.

The former Australian captain gave the example of Kohli, who after being out after scoring five runs in the first innings, was successful in making a comeback by scoring 100 unbeaten runs in the second innings. Ponting said, “Virat trusted his/her game and he/she looked like a different player in the second innings compared to the first innings. Instead of fighting the opposing team, he/she focused on his/her strong points. That’s what Marnus and Smith need to do – find their way and show strong intentions.

Ponting asked the Australian batsmen to take more risks and put pressure on the Indian bowlers. he/she said, “You have to find a way to take risks and put pressure on the bowlers because we all know that bowlers like Bumrah will not give you easy opportunities to score runs.”

Despite suffering a crushing defeat in the first Test, Ponting advised Australia not to make too many changes in the team. he/she said, “I would advise to remain with the same team. I think you have to show confidence in champion players and many of the people we are talking about in this team have been champion players.

tag: Border Gavaskar Trophy, india vs australia, marnus labuschagne, ricky ponting, steve smith, Virat Kohli