'It could be a rebirth for Virat Kohli' - Former Aussie great predicts Indian stalwart's 'iconic comeback' at MCG in Boxing-Day Test

Former India skipper and modern-day batting great, Virat Kohli has been struggling with a poor run of form against Australia in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024. The batting stalwart has not had very impressive numbers in the Test series against Australia except for a century in the second innings of the first Test in Perth.

Kohli has scored only 126 runs in five innings, with a ‘not so impressive’ batting average of 31.50, including a century. He has been seen struggling with one of his old concerns and that is an ‘attempt to play the ball on the 5th or 6th stump’ outside the off stump.

Meanwhile, the former legendary Australia batter and now a commentator, Matthew Hayden spoke highly of Virat Kohli. Hayden predicted the ‘rebirth of Virat Kohli’ at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the fourth Test of the series.

The wicket at the MCG is good for the batters – Matthew Hayden

Notably, it was this very MCG where the 36-year-old regained his lost form with an unbeaten and historic 82-run knock against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022. This knock helped India to register an iconic 4-wicket win against the arch-rivals.

“It could be a rebirth for Virat Kohli, for that matter. The wicket at the MCG is good for the batters. The new ball would do a bit, but if you get your eyes in, it is all for the batters,” said Hayden while speaking to one of the broadcasters in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024.

“The curator and CEO of the MCG have been giving good wickets at the venue over the years, and I think it would continue to be in favour of the batters. Virat has a good chance of scoring runs in the fourth Test as it would suit his batting style. All he has to do is stop playing the deliveries that are pitched outside the off-stump. Sachin successfully did it against Australia long back in Sydney, and there is no reason why Virat can’t follow that template,” he added later.