Ravi Shastri's blunt advice to Virat Kohli: Ignore the noise and focus on regaining form

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has some straight-talking advice for Virat Kohli to regain his form as the Boxing Day Test hangs in the balance with just one day left. Kohli showed promise in the first innings at the MCG, but a lapse in concentration saw him fall victim to yet another outside off-stump delivery, getting caught behind for 36 after Yashasvi Jaiswal's run-out incident. The Indian cricket legend has come under scrutiny for his recent performances, with his struggles in converting starts into big scores becoming a cause for concern. Despite a century in Perth, Kohli's recurring issue of edging the ball behind has raised questions about his form and focus.

Shastri, who shared a great coach-captain partnership with Kohli in the past, advised him to shut the outside noise and stay focused on being disciplined while batting.

“My advice would be that you should bat exactly how you batted in the first innings," Shastri said on Star Sports. “Forget everything else. Jo bhi log keh rahe hai vo bhuul jaao, vo bhaad mein gaya (Whatever people are saying, forget it, it can go to hell). Bat how you have been doing because your purple patch will come. Discipline is discipline. Leave the balls outside off, make Australia bowl to your body, show patience, show discipline," Shastri said on Star Sports.

The former India head coach predicted if Kohli manages to be patient and show discipline, then he is going to score big runs in the next couple of years.

"A lot of runs will come. I am saying Virat Kohli will score a ton of runs in the next two to three years if he takes this approach," he added.

Virat Kohli key for India to snatch a win on Day 5

The 37-year-old has scored 162 runs so far in this series at an average of 32.40 and the pressure is mounting on him to put up a big score.

India have a chance to make it 2-1 on Monday, but it is going to be a tricky task for the batters. Australia have already taken a 333-run lead, and their last pair, Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland, will look to add more to it. India would want Kohli to score big on the final day during the chase to put up a fight. The Indian maestro thrives under pressure, and it would be the perfect set-up for him to find his groove back.

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