Important for Virat Kohli to be in a good state of mind: Hanuma Vihari

Virat Kohli made a comeback to Test cricket in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai after missing the home Test series against England earlier this year. Still struggling to make enough impact in red-ball cricket, with his Test average going down below 50, Kohli will have an onerous task ahead of him to be in form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Hanuma Vihari, who played a crucial role in India’s historic triumph in 2020-21, stated that Kohli’s form would be important in the context of India’s success while adding that it is paramount the former Indian skipper is in a good mental state.

"I wouldn't say crucial. It is important for Virat Kohli to be in a good state of mind. I know he has not played Test cricket for a while now. He missed out on the England Test series due to his personal commitments," Hanuma Vihari said in an interaction organized by JioCinema.

"But coming back to Test cricket after a while, it takes time to get into your groove, to get that mental space, and to have that routine back. India should not be concerned with Virat's form because we know when the real Test comes, he will stand up and get those runs in Australia," he added.

Kohli scored 6 and 13 in his comeback Test in Chennai, with his fishing outside of off-stump returning to deceive him. The former Indian skipper has been a solid performer in Australia over the years, scoring 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08, with six centuries and five half-centuries.

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