Virat’s going to have a good batting track in Melbourne, says Matthew Hayden

With the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India set to commence at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 26, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has weighed in on Virat Kohli’s recent performances and offered advice for the Indian batting stalwart. The match marks the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

Kohli, who began the series on a promising note with a century in the opening Test at Perth, has since found himself in a rough patch. Across four innings following his hundred, he has managed a mere 26 runs. This inconsistency has mirrored his broader challenges in 2023, a year where he has struggled to regain his dominant form.

Speaking about Kohli’s potential to bounce back at Melbourne, Hayden highlighted the importance of adapting to the conditions at the MCG. Known for its batting-friendly pitches, the venue provides a golden opportunity for Kohli to regain his rhythm.

“Melbourne is going to offer Virat Kohli a good batting track,” Hayden said in a press release by Star Sports. However, he emphasized the need for the Indian batter to exercise caution, particularly outside the off-stump. “What he does need to do is find a way to continue staying at the crease. Flashing outside the off-stump is something that he’s going to have to resist,” he added.

Statistically, 2023 has been one of Kohli’s least impactful years across all formats. In 34 innings, he has amassed 614 runs at an average of 21.92. His tally includes one century and two fifties, with his highest score being an unbeaten 100*.

In Test cricket specifically, Kohli has played nine matches, scoring 376 runs at an average of 25.06. This includes one century and one fifty from 17 innings, with his top score being 100*.

The 2020s have not been kind to Kohli in Test cricket. Over 37 matches and 64 innings this decade, he has aggregated 1,964 runs at an average of 31.67. While he has three centuries and nine fifties during this period, his performances are a stark contrast to the consistency he displayed in the previous decade.

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Kohli’s contributions in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle have also been a mixed bag. In 12 matches and 21 innings, he has scored 687 runs at an average of 36.15. The cycle includes two centuries and three fifties, with his highest score being 121.