India vs Australia | Support for Virat Kohli from other batsmen will be crucial, believes Adam Gilchrist

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BySportsCafe Desk,SportsCafe Editor

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Adam Gilchrist has stated that for India to win the Test series against Australia it is important for other Indian batsmen to support Virat Kohli in the four-match series. On his last Australian tour, in 2014, Kohli had piled 694 runs at an impressive average of 86.50 in the four match Test series.

India managed to square the three match T20 series 1-1 by winning the last match against the hosts Australia. The T20Is will now be followed by four Test matches starting on December 6th. In the final T20 match Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten half-century to take his team home and also showing glimpses of what is to come in the Test series but Adam Gilchrist has said that unless other batsmen start supporting Kohli, India will not be able to win in the longest format of the game. 

"Going ahead into the Test series, I expect Virat Kohli will have another imperious outing like he did in 2014 . I have spoken with him these last few days, seen his confidence, and seeing the way he batted in Sydney, I will be very surprised if he doesn't," Gilchrist said to PTI on Monday.

"The key for India winning this series though will be batsmen around him. Will they support him enough to allow India to get enough runs, and give their good bowling attack enough opportunity to defend or even bowl Australia twice in a Test?"

Looking at the fact that the two frontline batsmen in the form of Steve Smith and David Warner will be absent from the Australian batting line-up, the visitors seem favourites to win the series. The duo, along with Cameron Bancroft, was banned during the tour of South Africa for ball tampering and hence cannot partake in the ongoing series.

"India start as favourites for this Test series mainly because they have a reasonable idea of their team composition. They have a strong understanding what combination they want to play with. Maybe 1-2 spots will be up for grabs but otherwise their playing eleven is very much set. I think India have a stable Test team. Whereas if you look at Australia, I don't think their selectors are quite sure about the line-up or team balance. This is a new phase for Australian cricket."

Last time the Indian team visited Australia in the year 2014-15 they lost the Test series 0-2 and the Virat Kohli’s men would want to turn the tables this time around. Once the Test series has concluded, India will also play a three-match ODI series against the hosts before they move to New Zealand.

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