CT 2017: Jayasurya, Azharuddin back Virat Kohli to fire in England

Team India registered a clinical win over the New Zealand side in their first warm-up match of the tournament. They beat the black caps by 45 runs in the rain-hit encounter. Skipper Virat Kohli stayed at the crease with an unbeaten fifty when the match ended. Certainly, he had his demons overcome after registering a good knock. The last time India toured England in 2014, Kohli had a very tough time.

Coming into the tournament this time around, a lot of eyes would be on how Virat Kohli deals with the moving ball. If the former cricketers are to be believed, the Indian captain will call the shots in the tournament this year. Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin noted that Kohli will have his poor run stats in England at the back of his mind. Hence, he would want to prove the perceptions of the people wrong.

“It would have been at the back of his mind. Virat would want to prove that he can deliver in England. He would want to prove people wrong. Else people would say he can’t perform well against the moving ball. His stats go beyond imagination. So he has a very good chance of doing well,” quoted Azharuddin as per the quotes in India Today.

Sanath Jayasurya joins the discussion

Former Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasurya also spoke on the same lines. He remarked that all subcontinent players wish to succeed in England. If they do not do so, the questions will arise doubting their skills against the moving ball.

“Sub-continent players want to do well in England. Else people from other countries say they can’t perform well against the moving ball. That’s why Virat would want to do well this time,” quoted the former Sri Lankan cricketer.

Clarke’s take

Earlier, former Australian skipper Michael Clarke had also voiced his opinions on the Champions Trophy. He opined that India’s chances will heavily depend on their skipper. Also, he noted that Kohli would have surely started his preparations long ago.

“India’s chances will depend heavily on Virat Kohli. And if you ask me he would have begun having one eye on the Champions trophy from the IPL itself when he realized his team won’t make the playoffs,” he had quoted.