Team India has to beat South Africa, England and Australia in their respective homes to be No.1: Michael Clarke

Virat Kohli’s Team India has been ruling the longest format of the game in the last couple of years and sit pretty at the top of the table with 125 points. Michael Clarke lauded the team but believed that the Men in Blue will have to beat South Africa, Australia and England in their respective homes to be called the best team in the world.

In an interview, Clarke praised Indian skipper Kohli and said that he is aware of the challenges ahead of him and is preparing the team for the same. He also admitted that this team is brimming with confidence and when they take on the Aussies it will be a bigger challenge for the team from down under.

“The Indian team right now is full of confidence and the upcoming tour for Australia is going to be tough. This tour will be a great challenge for Australia as India, at the moment, are playing very well,” said the former Aussie skipper. “Obviously the Australian supporters expect their team to be best in the world. But, India are ticking all the right boxes under the captaincy of Virat Kohli,” he added.

Kohli preparing his team for challenges

Clarke felt that Indian cricket is going through the change as far as the approach towards the game is concerned under Virat. He also commended the previous captains Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble and MS Dhoni who played a crucial role in taking the team to the top.

“He wants to win and doesn’t want to take a step back. He knows how tough the next four months of cricket are. He is preparing his team for that,” the right hander said of Kohli. “If India can beat South Africa, Australia and England at away conditions, there will be no doubt that India is the number one team in the world,” Clarke added.

Though, Clarke refused to compare Kohli to the Australian stalwart Ricky Ponting. “I have never played under Virat so cannot compare them. However, Virat would not want to be compared to anybody. He has his own style,” he signed off.

The Indian team, before travelling to South Africa at the far end of this year, has a hectic home season ahead where they will face Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.