'Be Nice and Friendly to Virat Kohli,' Steve Waugh's Unique Advice to Australia Goes Viral, Check Why?

Virat Kohli: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024 is off to a heated start, and while the world debates strategies for victory, former Australian skipper Steve Waugh has offered unconventional advice to his team. Speaking ahead of the India vs. Australia Test series, Waugh suggested an unexpected approach to tackling India’s star batter Virat Kohli—be nice to him. Yes, you read that right. The legendary captain believes a calm and amiable demeanor could be the key to neutralizing Kohli’s on-field aggression.

Why Steve Waugh Wants Australia to Be ‘Friendly’ with Virat Kohli

In an interview on the SEN Breakfast Show, Steve Waugh reflected on Kohli’s competitive spirit. According to him, players like Virat Kohli thrive under pressure and perform best when fired up by a battle of wits. The advice? Deprive him of that spark.

“I think what Australia should do is be as friendly as they possibly can,” Waugh remarked. He drew a parallel with New Zealand’s approach to Kohli, where a cordial atmosphere led to Kohli appearing less aggressive and, surprisingly, less effective.

Recalling a past encounter, Waugh observed, “I watched him against New Zealand, and he wasn’t himself—laughing, joking, and even relaxing on the field. That’s not the Kohli we’re used to seeing. If I were Australia, I’d tell him how great he looks and how much I look forward to playing against him.”

The theory is intriguing: take away Kohli’s edge, and he might struggle to find his usual intensity.

A Tough Start for Virat Kohli in BGT 2024

Virat Kohli, often hailed as one of the greatest batters in modern cricket, has been grappling with a dip in form, particularly in Test cricket. This decline continued during the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. Kohli was dismissed for just five runs off 12 deliveries by Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who used the extra bounce of the Optus Stadium pitch to trap Kohli into nicking the ball to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Virat Kohli’s Struggles - A Post-2020 Decline

The numbers tell a concerning story for Virat Kohli. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kohli’s Test performances have taken a nosedive. In his last 60 Test innings before the Perth Test, he managed only two centuries and averaged just over 22.72 in 2024.

His struggles were evident in India’s recent Test series, where he scored 99 runs in two Tests against Bangladesh and only 93 runs in three Tests against New Zealand. Despite glimpses of brilliance, the consistency that once defined Kohli seems elusive.

India vs Australia Score Highlights Struggles

The opening day of the Perth Test was a nightmare for India. After winning the toss, stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah opted to bat first, only to witness a collapse in the morning session. India crumbled to 93/6 in 37 overs.

The top order failed to handle Australia’s pace attack, with Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed for a duck by Mitchell Starc and KL Rahul falling shortly after. Kohli’s early dismissal added to India’s woes, setting the tone for a challenging match ahead.