"What’s needed you saw from Smith" - Former India coach on Virat Kohli's batting form ahead of 4th BGT 2024-25 Test

Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri has suggested that Virat Kohli is not far away from finding form in the ongoing Test series against Australia. Shastri cited Steve Smith's example, pointing out how well he cashed in to score a hundred in Brisbane.

Smith had scores of 0, 17 and 2 leading up to the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. The right-hander walked in early on day two and enjoyed some stroke of luck in tricky batting conditions. However, the former Aussie captain played his shots freely after passing fifty before eventually falling for 101.

Speaking on the latest episode of the ICC Review, the 62-year-old opined that Kohli is not out of form as it's all about getting through that initial tricky period. He said:

"What’s needed you saw from Smith. It might have been a struggle early on but he was prepared to play the waiting game and be disciplined. I think the same with Virat. If Virat gets over that first 30, 40 minutes, with serious application and discipline, I don’t think he's (out of form), none of these guys are out of form.”

Kohli, meanwhile, has struggled since his 100* in the second innings in Perth. The 36-year-old bounced back from a single-figure score in the first dig in Perth and will be eyeing a return to form in the Boxing Day Test.

"They'll be dangerous because they'll be hungry" - Ravi Shastri on Virat Kohli and Steve Smith

Ravi Shastri. (Image Credits: Getty)

Shastri reckons the Indian and Aussie greats, Kohli and Smith, slipping down in the ICC Test batting rankings will have fired them up for the final two Tests. He said:

"I think they (Kohli and Smith) will have slipped down the ranks on current form because you know you've got the likes of Root taking off, there's Williamson doing well, Harry Brook has come onto the scene, you know there are a lot of other young players pushing but these are class players. In a situation like this, you know they'll be dangerous because they'll be hungry."

The five-Test series between Australia and India is currently locked at 1-1.