‘He's been a killer against Australia’ - Virat Kohli’s grand entry and stellar reputation intimidate Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon & Steve Smith
“Virat Kohli is the one guy who can chase it down in the fourth innings,” Pat Cummins said.
Star Australia cricketers Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, and Steve Smith were afraid of what Virat Kohli could have done to them in the 2023 World Test Championship final. The Indian team required 444 runs to win the game and potentially get their hands on their first ICC title in 10 years.
India were 164/3 at the stumps on Day 4, needing another 280 to win. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were slowly approaching their fifties. Despite team India putting the Aussies in a spot of bother, However, as Scott Boland dismissed Kohli for 49 runs, and Mitchell Starc sent Ajinkya Rahane packing, the hopes of a comeback diminished for India.
The Aussies were in the driver’s seat but were still very wary of the threat that Virat Kohli posed. However, the excellence of Australia’s bowling attack saw India bowled out for just 234 runs as the side won the game by 209 runs to clinch their maiden WTC title.
'Virat Kohli is the one guy who can chase it..': Pat Cummins
In the latest season of ‘The Test’, Cummins, Lyon, Boland, and many others had a lot to say about Virat Kohli, with many worrying about his presence on the field as well.
“Virat Kohli is the one guy who can chase it down in the fourth innings,” Pat Cummins said. Whereas, Steve Smith said, "If you look at people chasing the total, Virat Kohli is up there with the best, if not the best."
Furthermore, Nathan Lyon said, "He is super competitive and doesn't give you an inch. No one comes close to him." Boland said, "Going into that last day, we still thought that if they got on a roll, Kohli could still pull off that chase."
It is worth noting that Kohli has a formidable record against Australia, In 25 Tests, he has scored 2042 runs against the side at an average of 47.49, including eight centuries and five fifties. His performances in the past against Australia warranted the reaction that the stars from down under gave to him in the WTC final.
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