Kohli the greatest ODIbatsman, says Clarke

Kohli the greatest ODIbatsman, says Clarke

 

FormerAustraliaskipperMichaelClarkebelievesVirat Kohliisalreadythe“greatestODI batsmantohaveeverplayedthe game”. The India skipper, the No 1

ranked Test and ODI batsman, led India toahistoric first series triumph in Australia, in Tests and ODIs. “To me,Virat is the greatest batsman to have ever playedone-daycricket.Ihaveno doubts after seeing what he has achievedforIndia,”saidClarke, who led Australia to the 2015 WorldCup. Kohli,30,hasaggregated10,385

runs in 219 ODIs —the fifth Indian to cross the10,000 mark. Hehasanastoundingaverageof 59.68with39hundreds. “You have to respect Virat’s

passion to win gamesfor his country. Yes, he has aggression butnoonecanquestionhiscommitment, how much he has achieved. He is the greatest in ODIs.” India’s2-1 ODI series win —

their first bilateral serieswin in Australia—was highlighted by MS Dhoni’s three unbeaten fifties,thelasttwocarryingIndiato victory.Hehascomeunderfocus

n ViratKohli’s passion and commitment hashelped him do well, feels MichaelClarke.

becausehisbattingisnolongeras aggressiveasitusedtobe.Clarke thoughsaidthe37-year-oldex-Indiacaptainshouldbeleftalone. “MSknowshowtoreacttoany

given situation. He has played 300-plusODIssoheknowshowto goabouthisjob.Hehit87*inthe final ODI at MCG, which India won in the 49th over chasing a modest230.Wouldhehavebeen as effective ifthetargetwas330?

“Ithinkhewouldhaveplayed differently.Itwas230andhehad aparticularstrategyanditwould have been different ifthe target wouldhavebeenbigger,”Clarke said.“Lookathisapproachinthe secondgameinAdelaideandthe thirdinMelbourne.Itwasdifferent.”

DhonibattedatNo5inthefirst

twomatches,butwaspromoteda slot in the final game.Kohli has

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saidNo5wastheidealslotforhis predecessor. AskedwhatshouldbeDhoni’s

battingpositionintheWorldCup, starting in England on May 30, Clarkesaid:“Anyposition,4,5or 6.Heisgoodenoughtobatatany position andIbelieve Virat will usehimaccordingly.” Clarke feels suspended allrounderHardikPandyawillplay akey roleinthe World Cup.“A

talentedplayerlikeHardikisnecessaryforthebalanceoftheside. Hecanwingamesalonewithhis battingandIamconfidenthewill beinthatWorldCupsquad.” Askediftoomuchmoneywas

spoiling young cricketers,he said:“Howmuchmoneyyou haveearnedisirrelevantbecause the mostimportant thing is to earnandgiverespect.Respecting every individual is very important.Itstarts with respecting eldersregardlessofprofession. “Professional sportspersons

arerolemodels,recognized,and theyhavearesponsibility.Havingsaid that,everyone makes mistakesandoneneedstomove onandlearnfromthem.” Asked about India’s World

Cupprospects,Clarkepointedto theirbowlingstrength. “Jasprit Bumrah is askilful

bowler who is improving every day. He continues to getbetter with his seam, swing, and pace. He is the best death bowler in ODIsatthemoment.” However,ClarkefeltEngland

willbeaforce.“Englandisavery goodODIsideandwillbehardto beat at home.Also, Iwould like Australia to be in the mix. Australia will get better when the frontline pacers, including NathanCoulter-Nile,comeback.