“If that doesn’t work, body bash”: How Healy wants Aussie bowlers to target Virat Kohli

Aussie cricket great Ian Healy has detailed how he wants the home side to target India’s Virat Kohli with pace this summer.

Kohli has been dominant previously against the red ball down under, averaging 54.08 and scoring six centuries from 13 Tests.

While the 36-year-old has a great record in Australia, his recent form leaves a lot to be desired as he averages less than 32 with the bat in his last 60 Test innings and Healy thinks that Australia’s pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc can capitalise on that lean patch of form.

Although Healy expects that trio to test Kohli’s forward defence with the bulk of their deliveries in the corridor just outside off stump, he urged Australia to try and set up the Indian superstar with straighter impact balls that are designed to trap him in front LBW.

“The first matchup I'm looking at is how our quicks can bowl to Virat Kohli, and I think they should target his front pad quite often,” Healy told SENQ Breakfast.

“He sits that front foot there and he can play from anywhere - he can play square on the off-side, he can whip onto the leg-side or he can rock back … but they’ve got to look for any sort of insecurity in his form and maybe target that front pad.

“But don't do it every ball because he’ll get used to it … it’s the impact ball that has to be on the front pad after he is set up with seam.”

If change-ups on his pads don’t work, Healy thinks Australia should look to target Kohli’s body with shorter deliveries.

While the right-hander doesn’t mind facing short deliveries, Healy thinks that Kohli will take on the bowling with hook and pull shots, potentially bringing catchers into play on the leg side.

“If that's not working, body bash. Bowl at the back armpit, that’s the right arm as a right-handed batsman … and it’s got to be hot,” Healy said.

“Have him jumping at times if he wants to ride those deliveries - ducking, weaving or bending backwards.

“Get that short leg position right next to him on the leg side and if you need a bumper, it’s got to go at the badge. He might try to bust out of a hard spell with a hook shot or pull shot and that will be hard to control if it's badge height.

“So that's the second tactic, body bashing.”

The first of five Tests between Australia and India begins on Friday at Perth’s Optus Stadium.