Inspiration for Virat Kohli

Indian batsman Virat Kohli who has had a disastrous summer in England can take a cue from Sachin Tendulkar for the impending Australian Test series later this year. Tendulkar, who will see another day of reckoning in October just ahead of India's tour of Australia, is providing batting tips to Kohli.

Two months before Kohli might regain his magical touch, he can take inspiration from a cricketing event that takes place in Sydney, where Sachin not only scored three Test centuries in five Tests, but curbed his instincts after a couple of bad essays, to produce a gem of 241 not out in the 2003-04 series.

The ten-hour long innings without the usual offside flourish was a measure of his greatness that should remind Kohli all great cricketers may have had a bad patch, but they have it in them to bounce back.

We are reminded of Tendulkar's "famous tryst" with Australia and "The Don" as the legendary batsman will be inducted as a Bradman Honouree along with former Test captain Steve Waugh at a gala dinner in Sydney on October 29.

Since Sydney has always served as a motivation for his guru Sachin, the event next month can go a long way in firing and fuelling Kohli's imagination. He must be aware of the historical context too.

Kohli, who on song reminds many a fan of Viv Richards and Sachin Tendulkar, is awaiting a comeback. Even Richards, it is said, once went to a psychologist after a disastrous run against Aussie great Dennis Lillee.

For Kohli, stepping into Sachin's shoes may not be easy, but his knack to play both defensive shots and aggressive strokes should stand him in good stead. Even Sunny Gavaskar, idol of Tendulkar, was told by the great Don (In Idols, Gavaskar calls him the "Idol of Idols") - not to be "over anxious". Gavaskar would recall later talking to a magazine: "He suggested that a judicious blend of attack and defence would do me good."

Talking of a bad patch, Clive Lloyd once said of Gavaskar: "If he is fed-up, it is understandable. Who likes fast bowling?"

Sydney, where Sachin and VVS Laxman have played sensational innings, should also serve as an inspiration for Kohli. It is where Sachin regained his class in 2003-04 Australia series. While the first India-Australia Test starts in Brisbane on December 4, the next year (January 3 to be precise) might see Kohli playing in Sydney in the fourth Test of the four-match series.

His fans hope he returns a hero from Sydney giving India first Test series victory Down Under. They will have "nothing to hide" - remember the ad he did with Anushka Sharma.