Kohli will be the difference between India and Australia: Adam Gilchrist

India vs Australia Test series: "Going ahead into the Test series, I expect Virat Kohli will have another imperious outing like he did in 2014 (694 runs in 4 Tests at average 86.50). I have spoken with him these last few days, seen his confidence, and seeing the way he batted in Sydney, I will be very surprised if he doesn't," Gilchrist said

Expecting Indian captain Virat Kohli to be the difference between the two sides during the four-match Test series starting on December 6, former Australian keeper Adam Gilchrist stated that Australia are yet to derive a plan to get Kohli out.

Gilchrist believes Australia’s only hope to get Kohli out is with the new ball. If Kohli gets his eyes in then he won’t stop before getting a big one. "I don't think I will be able to pinpoint a plan because I don't know. At best, Australia will have to be patient. They will have to play good old-fashioned Test cricket. Their best hope is to make early inroads in the Indian batting and bowl at Kohli with the new ball,” Gilchrist said.

Kohli had scored four centuries the last time India toured Australia but unfortunately, none of his hundreds could bring victory to India as the visitors succumbed to a 2-0 loss.

Gilchrist is of the opinion that other Indian batsmen will have to step up if India wish to win their first series in Australia.  "The key for India winning this series though will be batsmen around him. Will they support him enough to allow India to get enough runs, and give their good bowling attack enough opportunity to defend or even bowl Australia twice in a Test?"

"Going ahead into the Test series, I expect Virat Kohli will have another imperious outing like he did in 2014 (694 runs in 4 Tests at average 86.50). I have spoken with him these last few days, seen his confidence, and seeing the way he batted in Sydney, I will be very surprised if he doesn't," Gilchrist added.

"Of course, they have to attack all batsmen and not just him, especially when they are new to the crease. But they also need to know when to go defensive and play the patience game against him for long hours."

Gilchrist conceded that India start favourites but added that it won't take too much for Australia to be dominant in their own conditions.

"India start as favourites for this Test series mainly because they have a reasonable idea of their team composition. They have a strong understanding of what combination they want to play with.

"Maybe 1-2 spots will be up for grabs but otherwise their playing eleven is very much set. I think India have a stable Test team. Whereas if you look at Australia, I don't think their selectors are quite sure about the line-up or team balance. This is a new phase for Australian cricket."

Gilchrist said that there is not much to choose between the bowling line-up of both sides but it's the batting line-up that can eliminate collapses will come up trumps.

"Having said that, I think either side can win the series. It won't take much for Australia to be confident in their own conditions and start dominating the series. We have seen this happen in the past as well.

"Both teams have top-drawer bowling attacks, so it will come down to which batting line-up can eliminate collapses. Kohli talked about India's tour of England and said that when they were poor, they were really poor, and hence lost. India have only batted reasonably well in patches in both South Africa and England. They are favourites, but they also have to be honest with themselves," one of the greatest keeper-batsman of all time said.