Australia can go on top of Virat Kohli if they put him under pressure early in the series: Brett Lee

In the much-anticipated India tour of Australia, Virat Kohli and his troops will lock horns with the hosts in three T20Is, followed by four Tests and three ODIs. Team India will look to defend Border-Gavaskar Trophy against a dominant Australian side, equipped with David Warner and Steve Smith in their armoury.

Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney are set to be the venues for the high-profile Tests of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. India had won the four-Test series in Australia 2-1 in 2018-19. However, the Australian team was without David Warner and Steve Smith, who both had missed the series due to their ball-tampering bans.

It will be a daunting task for Virat Kohli to replicate the performance and script another iconic triumph on the Australian soil. Former Australia quick Brett Lee also believes that the Aussies will be aiming to avenge the defeat of the previous Border-Gavaskar trophy.

“To me, it’s one of the best series that you can look forward to. Australian will definitely want revenge but I know that India will come out and play their style of cricket which could definitely put Australia on the ropes. I personally think Australia will be too strong on home soil,” Lee said as quoted by Times Now.

Kohli is obviously a world-class player: Brett Lee

Lee also pointed out that the Aussies will have to target Kohli from the word go for putting him under pressure. Identifying the Indian skipper as a ‘world-class’ player, Lee pointed out that Australia will have to curb Kohli with ‘concise’ plans.

“He is obviously a world-class player and Australia will have to make sure they’ve got clear concise plans to bowl to him. I think if they can put him under pressure early in the series that will allow maybe Australia to go on top of him,” Lee opined.

One of the strongest aspects of Team India in Tests has been its pace battery. During India’s triumph on the Australian soil last time, Jasprit Bumrah had ended the series with 21 wickets, Mohammed Shami had scalped 16 wickets while Ishant Sharma had plucked 11 scalps. Lee lauded India’s speedsters along with opining on Bumrah’s short run-up.

“I think with their height and agility they are able to bowl in all conditions, but it looked as though they are really up for the contest,” Lee said.

“I think it’s a matter of him keeping strong and doing what works for him. Obviously, with a short run-up, it does put a lot of pressure on your body but at the moment it looks as though it’s working for him,” added Lee, who donned the Australian jersey in 76 Tests, 221 ODIs and 25 T20Is.