IND vs AUS: Ashwin reveals chat with Virat Kohli after Indore Test - 'Not that we both connect too often'

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed his chat with former India captain Virat Kohli following the Indore Test which the hosts lost by nine wickets against Australia.

In the match, India were bundled out for 109 in the first innings and 163 in the second. Kohli top-scored for India with 22 runs in the first innings and played with a lot of control despite massive help for spinners on the track. However, he failed to convert his start into a big score once again. In the first innings of the second Test in Delhi as well, he had looked solid during his 84-ball stay for 44 runs.

Post the conclusion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with the fourth Test in Ahmedabad on Monday, Ashwin said that he had given Kohli the message that he was batting brilliantly and a big knock was round the corner.

“Personally, Virat and I had a conversation after the Indore Test. Not that we both connect too often on such lines. But I personally felt, Virat was batting well, he was getting time and was getting out after getting 30s and 40s,” Ashwin was quoted as saying to Star Sports after the match.

“It was always evident and it needed someone to put an arm around his shoulder and say, 'you are batting brilliantly, you just need to hang in there for a bit and things are going to turn’. And it’s turned for me in my cricketing career as well.

Further, the 36-year-old talked about the importance of Kohli and Cheteswar Pujara scoring runs for India. He further admitted his adoration for the batting quality of Kohli, Pujara and Rohit Sharma.

Can sit and watch them bat all day: Ashwin praises Big 3

“I felt the big knock was around the corner. Even in the ODI series before this, Virat did play some of his wonderful knocks. Having him and Puji batting well together gives us a lot of advantage because one can eat up balls and the other has a real presence.

“As a cricketer, playing with them all these years, I know runs on the board are very important. And these two players along with Rohit, I can sit and watch them all day,” Ashwin added.

Kohli ended his 1205 days wait for a Test hundred by reaching the three-digit score against Australia in Ahmedabad. In a very controlled and determined innings, The 34-year-old scored just four boundaries en route to his 28th Test ton. He went on to score186 runs which included 15 boundaries to help India post 571 in reply to New Zealand's first innings total of 480. The innings from Kohli took away the Australian advantage and the match ended in a draw as India clinched the 4-match series 2-1.