"Virat is doing really well" - Suresh Raina feels it is unfair to judge ace batter's form on the basis of one series

Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has defended Virat Kohli amid severe criticism regarding his form ahead of the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The former skipper endured a rough home season, with the sole noteworthy knock being a fifty in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.

Kohli's lack of assurance against spin, and dip in run-scoring ability has led to several questioning his red-ball future. Along with Kohli, Team India are also under duress after being subjected to a 0-3 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand. With the chances of featuring in the World Test Championship (WTC) hanging by a thread, India are not heading into Australia as their most confident version.

"We need to give credit to New Zealand (for the whitewash). They played really well...Their cricketing ethics are very strong, in every sport. They played better than us, had good spinners...but we couldn't score much. Virat is doing really well, I think. We can't judge him from one series," Raina said in an interview with the Times of India.

Kohli was one of the first players to land in Australia to prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While he did not hit the nets at the WACA in Perth on Tuesday, November 12, he is expected to have his first session on Wednesday, November 13.

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"I think he is a good leader and coach" - Suresh Raina on Gautam Gambhir

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir is tasked with navigating India through one of the roughest patches in recent history. Since his appointment after the 2024 T20 World Cup success, India have lost an ODI series in Sri Lanka and have been whitewashed at home in Tests by New Zealand.

There has been intense scrutiny over his role, and style of coaching of late, leaving no doubt that how India fares in Australia will make a huge impact on his future.

Raina defended his former national teammate during the crisis and feels that the coach will not look too much into the criticism from fans and pundits.

"I think Gauti bhai was such a player and (now) a coach that even when he used to play, he didn't pay much attention (to media/public scrutiny). But you know that when you lose, then there will be (comments made) about the coach. But I think he is a good leader and coach," Raina said in the same interview.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled to begin on November 22. The first Test will be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth.