Australian head coach Andrew McDonald recounted how the hosts managed to keep Virat Kohli quiet in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. against India. After the end of the second day of play in Sydney, McDonald shed light on their well-executed plan that put the Indian batsman under constant pressure during the five-match Test series.
The battle between Virat Kohli and Australia’s bowlers has been a fascinating story in a high-stakes Test series. Australia used to be Kohli’s hunting ground, but this time he had a memorable Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, thanks to Andrew McDonald and the shrewd strategy of his bowlers.
Andrew McDonald reveals the secrets behind Australia’s tactical dominance against Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s consistent failure against balls bowled just outside the off-stump disappointed him all the way, as he ended the five-match Test series with just 190 runs in nine innings. He broke just one ton in the Perth Test. His scores in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 read: 5, 100*, 7, 11, 3, 36, 5, 17 and 6 against Australia.
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Scott Boland was the man who troubled Virat Kohli the most in the Test series as the Indian batting icon lost his wicket four times to the seamer 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 accuracy and relentless approach in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
It’s never easy to get Virat out: Andrew McDonald
Scott Boland won this tactical duel most of the time against Kohli, who tried to counter the Australian strategies by coming out of his line and tried different tactics but failed each time. And McDonald said his bowlers, with their superb accuracy and clever adjustments, managed to stay one step ahead, keeping Kohli at the back.
Andrew McDonald told reporters during the post-match press conference after the end of the second day 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 to be able to execute it the way we have to with Virat, that’s put him under a lot of pressure.”
McDonald added: “And look, he tried some things. He came out of his crease. He also tried different tactics. But, you know, it’s clear that it was incredibly difficult for him to fight that ruthless nature, especially Scotty Bolin in that match. But he’s never an easy goalkeeper, no.”
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Andrew McDonald reacts to the Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas incident at the SCG
The Australian coach also shared his thoughts on the Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas incident on the first day of the ongoing fifth and final Test at the SCG. McDonald said there were no penalties or fines, so such a terrifying celebration is acceptable, so they have no problem.
He signed off saying, “I will leave it to the ICC. And apparently the match referee and referees were out. So if they thought that was satisfactory, then I guess that’s the yardstick we’re playing with.”
