'Kohli has been struggling to play...': Jaffer sends huge 'Australia' warning to ex-India skipper amid NZ series

Former India skipper Virat Kohli has failed to fire for Rohit Sharma and Co. in the three-match series against New Zealand. Wasim Jaffer feels Kohli will have to regain his form prior to the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

After shattering multiple records against Sri Lanka, former Indian skipper Virat Kohli was tipped to extend his free-scoring run in the ongoing New Zealand series. However, the in-form batter showcased a rare batting failure in the series opener as Kohli was outfoxed by spinner Mitchell Santner in the 1st One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series at Hyderabad.

Batting icon Kohli then perished for another mediocre score in India's comfortable win over New Zealand on Saturday at Raipur. Sharing his views ahead of the upcoming meeting between India and New Zealand, former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer extended his support to run machine Kohli, who he believes will return back to scoring ways in the 3rd ODI at Indore on Tuesday.

With Australia set to tour India for the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, Jaffer feels Kohli will have to regain his form prior to the start of the red-ball series. "Virat Kohli must be disappointed by his dismissals in this series. He has been struggling to play leg-spin for quite a while now whether it be Adil Rashid or Adam Zampa, and now he has gone out to left-arm spin of Mitchell Santner two matches in a row," Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo.

The 34-year-old has only scored 19 runs in the three-match series. Kohli was cleaned up by Santner in the 1st ODI for a forgetful score of 8 off 10 balls. Santner then got the better of Kohli in the low-scoring contest at Raipur as the former Indian skipper was stumped for 11 off 9 balls. "I expect Kohli to make a good comeback in the third ODI keeping the big picture in mind. Australia are touring soon and they have a solid bowling unit with Nathan Lyon also there. So, the expectation is always there from him to score runs and do well," Jaffer added. Kohli-starrer India will meet New Zealand in the third and final ODI of the series at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.