Time to buck the trend: Kohli
Virat Kohli is at the top of his game but he must get his other batters to perform if he is to grab the crowning glory of India's first Test series victory in Australia.
Kohli, 30, has led India's batting charge with admirable consistency across all three formats as he tops the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings in Test and ODIs.
The series defeats in South Africa and England this year showed, Kohli piling on the runs will be no guarantee of victory when the four-Test series starts on Thursday in Adelaide.
But it is the five-day format that Kohli and India are looking to conquer, with India never having won a series in Australia in more than 70 years of trying.
India's dismal record Down Under, which started with a crushing series loss to Don Bradman's side in 1948, is just five wins in 44 Tests.
Kohli is confident that now is the time to buck the that trend.
"Looking at how much experience we have gained in the four years since we have last been here, and how the team has played, we definitely feel we have what it takes to win Test matches away from home," he said in an interview with Macquarie Radio.
"And, hopefully, this time around, a full series," said Kohli.
With the world's number one Test nation awaiting them in Adelaide in the first of four Tests, Australia captain Tim Paine said it was time to start looking forward.
"There has been so much talk in the last 10 months that everyone is sick of ball-tampering talk," he said ahead of Australia's first home Test since "sandpapergate", where Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft tried to alter the ball in South Africa.
"There has been so much talk, it's time for action. There are 11 guys going out and trying their best who will be so keen because of what has gone on."
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