India vs Australia: Virat Kohli will be crucial for India's Twenty20 series fortunes

Kohli looked like a master in control at the Adelaide Oval in the first T20.

New Delhi: Virat Kohli finds himself once again as the main onus of the Indian side's batting and his consistency in Australia has been a top draw. After his brilliance in the ODIs, India find themselves in a rare position to bag a series and Twenty20 brings forward that chance.

Kohli looked like a master in control at the Adelaide Oval with a stroke-filled unbeaten 90 runs in the first T20 match which the visitors won by 37 runs.

Despite a 1-4 loss to the same opponents in the ODI series, Kohli's stature grew higher as he made batting look so easy Down Under. Kohli scored at will but he will have to finish matches at a more consistent basis and take the baton from Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Kohli's approach has also been bolstered by his captaincy in Tests and as Dhoni mentioned recently that the Delhi player is the person to carry forward the team in the time to come. The 27-year-old has made his form count and winning games will be the top priority from there on which was missing in the ODIs.

Kohli's impact for India can be likened to that of Steve Smith who has been a revelation in world cricket for Australia. Smith has defined the world class tag and that has rubbed on to his teammates as collectively they have been so strong as an unit. Kohli will have to ensure the same happens which can propel India to get more success.

Kohli's ability to build partnerships was witnessed throughout the tour of Australia and that has been a positive story for India. Kohli has shifted his momentum from Tests to ODIs and now to T20s in Australia and his love affair with the nation could be a deciding factor for success.

A win in Friday's T20 encounter will see India seal the series which will be a huge boost ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 WC in March 2016. Kohli's presence will be a huge lift for the Indian side especially against Sri Lanka and the Asia Cup that will be played prior to the WC.