'It's Got To Be Hot': Legendary AUS Stumper Reveals Strategy To Contain Virat Kohli During BGT Tests

Cricket Australia's biggest target when they face India in BGT would be Virat Kohli . The right-handed batter has been a spectacular cricketer in Australian conditions, as he has helped big-time in winning the coveted title. In order to tame the star Indian cricketer, a former Aussie wicketkeeper has offered a blueprint to handle Kohli when India and Australia lock horns against each other.

Ian Healy Strategizes Plans To Control Virat Kohli In Upcoming BGT Tests

During an appearance on SEN Radio, Former Australia cricketer Ian Healy handed out some tactics to tame Virat Kohli when they face off against India at the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The legendary wicketkeeper wants the Aussie pace arsenal to opt for all strategies, which include targeting Virat's front foot. Healy also urged Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc to try putting Kohli on the back foot.

"The first matchup I'm looking at is how our quicks can bowl to Virat Kohli, and I think they should target his front pad quite often.

"He sits that front foot there, and he can play from anywhere — he can play square on the off-side, he can whip onto the leg-side or he can rock back … but they've got to look for any sort of insecurity in his form and maybe target that front pad. Don't do it every ball because he'll get used to it... it's the impact ball that has to be on the front pad after he is set up with seam," Ian Healy said.

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In case Australia's plans do not play out, Ian Healy suggested aiming for Virat Kohli's body and going all in for a body bash and having him jump as he may attempt to jump, duck, bend backwards or weave.

"If that's (front-foot tactic) not working, body bash. Bowl at the back armpit, that's the right arm as a right-handed batsman... and it’s got to be hot. Have him jumping at times if he wants to ride those deliveries — ducking, weaving or bending backwards. Get that short leg position right next to him on the leg side, and if you need a bumper, it's got to go at the badge. He might try to bust out of a hard spell with a hook shot or pull shot, and that will be hard to control if it's badge height," Healy opined.

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[With PTI Inputs]