Shastri issues Kohli warning to Australia

If Australia's Test team didn't have enough to concern themselves with ahead of the impending series against India, the tourists' head coach Ravi Shastri has added a word of warning to the mix: the Virat Kohli we will see this summer is a vastly-improved version from the one who plundered hundreds for fun here four years ago. 

India touched down in Brisbane on Sunday ahead of Wednesday's night's T20I tri-series opener at the Gabba, and Shastri said a more experienced Kohli would not be taking "his foot off the gas" against a team with whom he has already fought some epic battles.

The 56-year-old mentor supported the sentiment of his skipper, who last week explained that historically, a lot of his aggression and seeking out of confrontations to get himself into a contest had been a product of immaturity. 

"He's a professional," said Shastri. "He's matured. What you saw from him four years ago, he's played all around the globe since then, he's captained the side – that alone comes with a tag of responsibility, which has fit well on his shoulders, and he has adjusted extremely well. 

"He'll not take his foot off the gas, that's for sure."

Kohli had the leanest series of his career on the last occasion the two sides fought out the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in India in early 2017, but on his last visit to Australia for Test cricket, he was in sparkling touch, hammering four hundreds and a record-breaking 692 runs across the four Tests. 

Shastri believes the world's number one ranked batsman is well placed to repeat the dose. 

"He loves coming to Australia," he added. "He's passionate about his game. The pitches here suit his style of play, and once you've done well in this part of the world, you always want to come out and play well again.

"I think it's a great place to play cricket – they play it hard, and the sporting public really appreciate good, tough cricket."

India are still to win a Test series in Australia from 11 attempts dating back to 1947, losing eight and drawing three. 

The first Test begins on December 6 in Adelaide. 

India Tour of Australia 2018-19

Gillette T20s v India

First T20: November 21, the Gabba

Second T20: November 23, MCG

Third T20: November 25, SCG

Domain Tests v India

First Test: December 6-10, Adelaide Oval

Second Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 3-7, SCG

Gillette ODI Series v India

First ODI: January 12, SCG (D/N)

Second ODI: January 15, Adelaide Oval (D/N)

Third ODI: January 18, MCG (D/N)