Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson reckons Virat Kohli will hold the key in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. Kohli has all the experience of playing in the tough Australian conditions and Hesson said the veteran batter will look to guide the young Indian players on the right path.

Virat Kohli has scored 2042 runs in 25 Test matches against Australia at an average of 47.48, including eight centuries. Kohli has even better numbers while playing in Australia as he has scored 1352 runs in 13 Test matches at an impressive average of 54.08, including six centuries.

But Kohli was dismissed for a nine-ball duck in the first innings of the opening Test match against New Zealand as he received an unplayable delivery from William O’Rourke at Bengaluru on Thursday.

Hesson said while talking to Jio Cinema, “I think Virat Kohli is at that stage in his career where he just wants to try and win games for India. And I think that’s a dangerous stage for other sides, because if he’s doing that rather than focusing on numbers, the big scores will come naturally.”

“The ability to hold a tempo in Australia is so important—being able to counterattack and knowing the right moments to do so. As mentioned, from 30 to 60 overs is a key phase. If Kohli is batting at that point, he won’t let the game drift. It’s about finding gaps, hitting gaps, getting ones and twos, and then, if they try and attack him, then he can counterattack,” Hesson said.

The former RCB coach said Kohli will look to make the most of his experience of playing in Australia.

“He has the game and knows the conditions very well. The discussions he’ll have with younger players will also be crucial in helping them apply their game to challenge the Australians in the best way possible.”

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.