Virat Kohli will be preparing for a trip to Australia later this year as India takes on an arduous five-Test series against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Virat Kohli loves playing against Australia, with his tally of 2,042 runs in 25 Tests coming at an average of 47.49, which is his highest against any Test-playing nation. The last two times Kohli toured Australia, India came out winners in both series. In 2018/19, Kohli led India to their maiden Test series win in Australia. Although he played only one game in the 2020/21 series before returning home, Ajinkya Rahane took over the mantle of leadership and led India to a historic win. Much has changed three years later. Kohli is not a captain, Rahane is not a part of this Test team and captain now is Rohit Sharma, who has an opportunity to make it three series wins on the trot in Australia, something unimaginable even a decade ago. Former Aussie great Geoff Lawson believes Kohli can expect a mixed reaction from the crowd. Despite stepping down as India's captain, the fire within Kohli still burns strong. In 2012, a fiery Kohli made an unforgettable gesture toward the crowd, and over the years, his up-and-down relationship with the Australian audience has only deepened the intrigue. Lawson told Mid-day, "Virat Kohli will play the faux villain to Jasprit Bumrah's likeable nature. Bumrah has the fast bowlers privilege of [spending] half a life at fine leg which gives him the ideal chance to interact with the crowd, winning smiles and hearts while Kohli will lurk in the infield appealing vociferously, fielding magnificently and engaging verbally with any Australian player so inclined to conversation, and there will be one or two of those," He added, "Aussie crowds love a competitor like Kohli, they may give him some grief if he plays the antagonist but you can guarantee that if he makes 50s and 100s he will be loudly applauded by the fans. He has shown a liking for Australian conditions ever since his first tour 13 years ago. Bounce and pace suited his two-footed game but the question in 2024 is whether he still has the razor sharpness to best Australia’s attack on their home surfaces. I wouldn't count him out." Also Read | Top 10 Most Handsome Cricketers in the World in 2024