Aussie Star Reveals Shocking Truth About Virat Kohli's Lack of Intensity: 'I Haven't Seen That Same...'

Premier Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne has remarked on a noticeable drop in intensity from Virat Kohli in recent times, as he reminisces about his first encounter with the Indian cricket legend. Known for his fierce and aggressive leadership style, Kohli has been instrumental in leading India to success on foreign soil, notably guiding the team to their historic Test series win in Australia during the 2018-19 tour. With an impressive record against Australia, Kohli has amassed 2042 runs in 25 Tests at an average of 47.48, including 8 centuries.

Labuschagne, who made his Test debut in 2018, asserted that Kohli was quite intense when he was the captain of the Indian team, but his intensity has dropped in recent times.

“My first memory of Virat was probably, from a playing perspective, the 2018 series. He was captain at that time, I think, and he was quite intense. When I watched the series, it was a very intense series," Labuschagne told Star Sports.

"I probably haven’t seen that same Virat since then, you know, the start of that series. For a long time, he’s just been a quality act, but my first memory would be that," he added.

Kohli's numbers have dropped drastically as his spin woes have gotten worse recently. In five Tests, he has scored 192 runs in 10 innings at an average of 21.33, with just one fifty. His scores during this home season are: 6, 17, 47, 29*, 0, 70, 1, 17, 4, and 1.

This year, Virat has scored just 250 runs in 12 Test innings across six matches at an average of 22.72 and failed to breach the triple-figure mark.

Meanwhile, the 0-3 series defeat to New Zealand has hurt India's chances to qualify for the World Test Championship Final. For India to not depend on any other calculations to qualify for the WTC final, they would require a 4-0 result Down Under, which as of now looks next to impossible. India can still qualify after losing the Border Gavaskar-Trophy if other teams don't fare well.

The much-awaited BGT will commence with the first Test--a day match--at Perth Stadium from November 22 to November 26, setting the tone for the series.