Virat Kohli expressed his commitment to persevere during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, aiming to regain his scoring form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The former captain of India acknowledged that he has not maintained the necessary discipline in his performances over the last two Tests. Following his achievement of a 30th Test century in the second innings of the first Test in Perth, Kohli's subsequent scores in the Tests held in Adelaide and Brisbane were 7, 11, and 3. Throughout all four innings in this series, he has fallen victim to deliveries outside the off stump, a recurring issue that has plagued him for the past five to six years in this format.

Kohli emphasized his pride in meeting the challenges posed by Test cricket across varying conditions and expressed his intention to apply this mindset in the remaining two Tests of the series.

"The last two or three innings have not unfolded as I had hoped. As I mentioned, I have not been disciplined enough to remain focused and grind through. This is the essence of Test cricket. The pitches here are significantly more lively than during our previous encounters. A different approach is necessary, but I take great pride in adapting to diverse conditions and stepping up when my team requires it. The goal is to immerse myself in the game, settle in, face enough deliveries, and respect the conditions," Kohli stated in an interview with former India coach Ravi Shastri prior to the commencement of play on Thursday.

Virat Kohli remembers MCG fondly

Kohli reflects positively on his experiences playing in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He remarked, "It is a significant venue. From my very first tour, I recognized the importance of the Boxing Day Test. I have fond memories; during my last visit, we secured a victory and took the lead in the series, which was quite memorable. In the 2014/15 season, I scored a century here. I cherish the special moments across various formats."

The esteemed cricketer expressed that India would have readily accepted a 1-1 series result at the conclusion of the third Test if it had been proposed to them prior to the series commencement.

"Expectations are always present. What truly matters is to adhere to your own strategies. My approach is to maintain my game plan and exercise discipline. A clear understanding of the game's context has contributed to my success. I am acutely aware of what the team requires from me. Entering the game at an early stage presents a different scenario compared to capitalizing on and extending an advantage."

"If someone had informed us that we would be at 1-1, we would have embraced it wholeheartedly," Kohli added.

India made a notable adjustment to their lineup for the fourth Test, introducing all-rounder Washington Sundar in place of Shubman Gill. Conversely, Australia awarded a debut to Sam Konstas at the top of the order, replacing Nathan McSweeney, while Scott Boland stepped in for the injured Josh Hazlewood.

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