Virat Kohli’s form with the bat has been underwhelming lately, which means he will naturally be under immense scrutiny during the upcoming tour of Australia. As one of India’s greatest batsmen, expectations are always high for Kohli, but recent performances have put him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Recognizing the fire Kohli can unleash when provoked, legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath has issued a word of caution to his compatriots: avoid riling up the Indian maestro at all costs.  

Kohli has always been known for his fiery passion on the field. His commitment to the team's success is unwavering, and he thrives in high-pressure situations. Despite his current dip in form, McGrath firmly believes Kohli possesses the ability to bounce back at any moment. He warned Pat Cummins’ team that antagonizing Kohli could bring out his best, something the Australian bowlers would do well to avoid.  

“If he gets into a battle of emotions, or if there’s a bit of a verbal exchange on the field, who knows? He could catch fire and turn the tables,” McGrath remarked, highlighting Kohli’s tendency to channel provocations into match-winning performances.  

However, McGrath also acknowledged that Kohli might be feeling the weight of his recent struggles. “I think he’s under a bit of pressure right now. If he scores low in the first few innings, that pressure could mount further. Kohli is a highly emotional cricketer. When he’s in rhythm, he’s unstoppable. But under pressure, he can sometimes falter,” he added.  

The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia kicks off this Friday in Perth. India has had remarkable success on their last two tours Down Under, winning back-to-back series. Yet, McGrath believes the tables may turn this time, with the home team holding the upper hand.