If India wins the Test series against Australia without Virat Kohli, they can celebrate for a year: Michael Clarke

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke is an admirer of Indian captain Virat Kohli. He believes that Kohli plays two roles for India, one as a captain and other as a batsman and it would be difficult for the visitors to find a replacement for Indian skipper in the last three Test matches of the four-match series against Australia.

Kohli would not be a part of the last three Tests against Australia as he would be traveling back to India to be with his wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child. Michael Clarke believes that it would be no less than a miracle and the Indian team should celebrate for a year if they manage to stamp their authority in the Tests without Virat Kohli.

Clarke believes that nobody can fill in Kohli’s boots but it can also be an opportunity for India to give opportunities to new players and test them on Australian pitches. According to the former Australian captain, KL Rahul can be a good option to bat at number 4 position in Tests in the absence of Indian skipper while Ajinkya Rahane should don the captaincy hat.

Virat Kohli’s boots can never be filled by anybody, says Michael Clarke

“There are probably two sides to Virat, one is the captaincy part and the other is the batting part. Who is going to bat in place of Virat. KL Rahul is very talented, there is no doubt about it. I think he is experienced, playing in these conditions before. He can do it.

“But Virat Kohli’s boots can never be filled by anybody. I love Jinx (Rahane). He is a great player. His captaincy is pretty good. Tactically, he is a very good captain and it’s going to be good for India. You have got to see it as an opportunity. You have got to try and create history,” Michael Clarke stated as quoted by India Today.

Further in the interaction, Clarke reckoned that the Indian team should celebrate for a whole year if they manage to win the Test series without Kohli. Also though he believes that it would be an impossible task, the visiting players should have faith in themselves.

“If India can beat Australia at Australia’s own backyard without Virat Kohli, you can celebrate for a year. That will be an unbelievable win. I think that’s the way Indian players have to look at it. They have to believe they are good enough to take on and beat this Australian team,” the 42-year old added.