Australian coach Andrew McDonald has revealed how the hosts managed to keep Virat Kohli silent in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. After the end of the second day of play in Sydney, McDonald highlighted their well-executed plan that consistently put the Indian batting maestro under pressure throughout the five-match Test series.
The battle between Virat Kohli and the Australian bowlers was a fascinating story in the high-stakes Test series. Australia was once a hunting ground for Kohli, but this time, he secured a memorable 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, thanks to Andrew MacDonald and his bowlers' cunning strategy.
Andrew McDonald reveals secrets behind Australia's tactical dominance against Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli's consistent failure to counter balls bowled just outside the off-stump disappointed everyone, as he finished the five-match Test series with just 190 runs across nine innings. He smashed just one ton in the Perth Test. His scores in the 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, with the Indian batting icon losing wickets to the seamer four times while being dismissed by Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc twice in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Meanwhile, Andrew McDonald admitted that dismissing Kohli is never easy, but credited the bowlers for their accuracy and relentless approach in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
It's never easy to get Virat out: Andrew MacDonald
Scott Bolland won this tactical duel most of the time against Kohli, who tried to counter Australia's strategies by coming out of his crease and trying different tactics but failed every time. McDonald said that the bowlers, with their brilliant accuracy and clever adjustments, were able to stay in front, keeping Kohli ahead.
“No, it's never easy to get Virat out. I give full credit to the bowlers and executing the plan. It's one thing to have a plan, but then to be able to execute it,” Andrew McDonald told reporters during the post-match press conference after the end of the second day of the New Year's Test. The way we are doing things with Virat, it puts him under huge pressure.
MacDonald added: “And look, he tried some things. He came out of the crease. He tried different tactics as well. But, you know, obviously Scottie Bolin's tough nature, in particular, in that match was very difficult for him to counter. But he It's never an easy wicket, no.”
Andrew McDonald reacts to Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas incident at SCG
The Australian coach also shared his views on the Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas incident on the first day of the ongoing fifth and final Test at the SCG. MacDonald said there are no fines or penalties, so such a creepy celebration is acceptable, so they don't have any problems.
“So I'll leave it to the ICC. And obviously the match referee and the officials were there. So, if they thought it was satisfactory, then that is, I think that's the standard we play at,” he signed off.