IND vs AUS: "They were in your face all the time..."- Virat Kohli reveals how India's matches in Australia motivated him in childhood

Virat Kohli got out for a duck in the first IND vs AUS ODI in Perth.

Former India captain Virat Kohli made his comeback to Indian side after a long gap of seven months on Sunday, October 19, during the first ODI between Indian Cricket Team and Australian Cricket Team in Perth. The spotlight was on him as he had a conversation with broadcasters ahead of the game and while speaking to them, he revealed why playing in Australia and facing them has motivated him since his childhood.

Kohli has a marvellous record on Australian soil, where he also slammed his first test century in 2012 at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide. The right-handed batter owns an average of 49.14 on Australian soil in ODIs, with five centuries including highest score of unbeaten 133 runs.

With 1542 runs in 18 tests at an average of 46+ including seven centuries during his career, Kohli mustered the most runs in Australia among all other foreign countries. In T20I cricket, he amassed 747 runs in 17 games in Australia at a stunning average of 74.70, including nine half-centuries and highest score of an unbeaten 90 runs.

Virat Kohli reveals how matches in Australia motivated him in his childhood

During a chat with Kohli on Fox Cricket ahead of the first ODI in Perth, former Indian coach Ravi Shastri asked him about the reason behind his success in Australian conditions. Kohli revealed how he used to enjoy challenging games between India and Australia on the latter’s soil in his childhood and was motivated to play in such conditions. He also noted that he was inspired by the legends of both teams.

“Well, you know, growing up watching cricket as a kid, you know, when we used to wake up early in the morning and watch Test cricket in Australia, you’d see the ball flying off the pitch and the opposition in your face, and I used to feel like, wow, if I’d be able to step up in these conditions and against this opposition, then it’ll be something that I could be really proud of as a cricketer,” he said.

“And that’s the motivation that was set out for me early on, watching all the greats of our game from either side not just the Indian cricket team. Guys like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid. Even Virender Sehwag when he came in later are guys like that I really looked up to. But the Australian setup as well, how they played their cricket and how they were in your face all the time and trying to be intimidating and take the game on,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kohli had a dismal start upon his return to international cricket, losing his wicket for a duck in the first ODI in Perth.

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