Australia coach Andrew MacDonald has spilled the beans on how the home side managed to keep Virat Kohli quiet in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. After the end of the second day’s play in Sydney, McDonald shed light on their well-executed plan that has constantly put the Indian batting maestro under pressure throughout the five-match Test series.
The battle between Virat Kohli and the Australian pace bowlers has been an exciting story in the high-stakes Test series. Australia were once Kohli’s hunt, but this time, they had a forgettable Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, thanks to Andrew McDonald and his crafty bowlers’ strategy.
Andrew McDonald reveals secrets behind Australia’s tactical dominance against Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s continued failure against balls bowled just outside the off-stump disappointed everyone as he ended the five-match Test series with just 190 runs in nine innings. He cracked just one ton in the Perth Test. His scores in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 were: 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 opener lost his wicket to the seamer four times 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 Australia’s strategies by coming out of his crease and trying different tactics, but failed every time. And McDonald said his bowlers, with their remarkable accuracy and clever adjustments, managed to stay one step ahead, keeping Kohli on the back foot.
Andrew McDonald told reporters during the post-match press conference after the end of New Year’s Day 2: “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 then to be able to execute it the way we have to in Virat, you put him under enormous pressure.”
McDonald added: “And look, he’s tried some things. He has come out of his fold. He has also tried different tactics. But, you know, it’s clear that that relentless nature, in particular, of Scotty Bolin in that match was incredibly difficult to combat. But it’s never an easy road, no.”
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Andrew McDonald reacts to the Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas incident at the SCG
The Australian coach also shared his views on the Jasprit Bumrah-Sam Konstas incident on Day 1 of the fifth and final Test at the SCG. McDonald said there were no fines or punishments, so such an intimidating celebration is acceptable, so they have no problem.
He signed off by saying: “So I will leave it to the ICC. And obviously the match referee and the referees were out there. So if they felt it was satisfactory, then that’s the, I guess that’s the benchmark we’re playing to.”
