'Virat Kohli is at that stage in his career where he just wants to win games for India' - Mike Hesson warns Australia ahead of BGT 2024/25

Mike Hesson believes that Virat Kohli is at the stage of his career where his primary goal is to help India win games instead of creating personal records.

The former India captain has been going through a lean phase in Test cricket as he has not been able to register a 50+ score in the format this year. Since 2019, he has only managed to score two centuries in the longest format of the game. While his peers like Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson are going from strength to strength in red-ball cricket, Kohli is struggling to live up to his lofty standards.

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India are set to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year as they embark on a tour to Australia to face Pat Cummins and Co. in a five-match Test series. Hesson feels that Kohli prioritising his team's success could prove to be dangerous for the World Test Champions.

"I think Virat Kohli is at that stage in his career where he just wants to try and win games for India. And I think that's a dangerous stage for other sides, because if he’s doing that rather than focusing on numbers, the big scores will come naturally. The ability to hold a tempo in Australia is so important—being able to counterattack and knowing the right moments to do so. As mentioned, from 30 to 60 overs is a key phase. If Kohli is batting at that point, he won’t let the game drift. It’s about finding gaps, hitting gaps, getting ones and twos, and then, if they try and attack him, then he can counterattack," Hesson told Jio Cinema.

Virat Kohli's Test numbers in 2024

Kohli opted out of the five-match Test series against England earlier this year due to personal reasons. He played in India's first fixture of 2024, which was the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. The legendary batter scored 46 and 12 in the two innings.

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After giving the Tests against England a skip, the Delhi batter returned to action in the recently-concluded series versus Bangladesh. In the first Test in Chennai, the 35-year-old scored 6 and 17. He fared better in the second Test in Kanpur, scoring 47 and 29*. India are set to play a three-match Test series at home against New Zealand before the high-profile Australia tour. Kohli would love to get some runs under his belt and gain in confidence ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which commences on November 22.