India have already retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy in the ongoing Test series against Australia. The hosts will now look on to clinch the series in Ahmedabad after suffering a big defeat in the Indore Test. Apart from the third Test, India have shown a dominant game against the visitors.
However, India’s star batter Virat Kohli didn’t have any big contribution in the wins in Nagpur and Delhi. Kohli has regained his form in white-ball cricket but he seems to be struggling in the longest format over a couple of years. The main reason for his failure in red-ball cricket can also be the struggles of the 34-year-old against the off-spinners. Since 2020, Kohli has been dismissed eight times by the off-spinners, while he maintains an average of just 28.37 against them.
Todd Murphy dismissed Virat Kohli on his debut Test
The Australian off-spinner, Todd Murphy, who made his Test debut in the ongoing series against India, dismissed the star Indian batter on his first Test in Nagpur to make his Test debut memorable. The 22-year-old has revealed about his contest against Kohli in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
“It’s been awesome, when I look back to Nagpur when he (Kohli) walked out to bat I was sort of at the top of my mark thinking ‘this is as good as it gets’ getting to bowl to a guy like that. To be able to have that for the first three Tests has been awesome, a really enjoyable battle and no different to bowling to a lot of their guys when they stand there it is daunting at times,” said Murphy as quoted by the Hindustan Times.
“I haven’t thought too far ahead but when you look ‘Gaz (Lyon) is still bowling as good as he ever has so when this series does come to an end it is going to slow down a little, it’s quite rare in other places in the world to play two spinners,” he further added.
India will take on Australia in the final Test of the series in Ahmedabad starting on March 9. The hosts are required to win the final Test no order to win the series and also book their spot in the Test Championship final. While Australia have already qualified for the final after winning in Indore.
