Virat Kohli punches you to death, Rohit Sharma kills you with tickle: Sunil Gavaskar
Virat Kohli hit match-winning unbeaten 59 for India against Australia. (Source: Reuters)
The sublime touch that he is in, Virat Kohli can bat even at midnight without switching on the lights and still score runs, Sunil Gavaskar said on Friday, eulogising the young Indian batsman.
A rampaging Kohli continued to torment the Australians, hitting another quick-fire half-century in India’s second win in the Twenty20 series on Friday.
“He is setting the bar higher for the future players. He is in fantastic form.. form which the players dream about. he can even bat at midnight without light and still bat well. The Australians cant get him out. They will have to wait for him to commit a mistake,” Gavaskar said.
Asked who he would like to bowl — Rohit Sharma or Kohli, Gavaskar replied,”to none of them.”
“I would not bowl to both of them. Rohit kills you with tickle and Kohli can punch you to death. Either way you are going to die,” he told NDTV.
The former Indian opener also suggested that India must not tinker with the batting order even as the series has been claimed by them. His reply came when he was asked if Yuvraj Singh should be promoted to number three so that he can get some match practise under his belt.
“I want to see India win the series 3-0. Kohli should continue to bat at number three. Never ever flirt with form, it’s so fickle, don’t flirt with it. Yuvraj can bat during the Asia Cup, World Twenty20. Let India make a clean sweep.”
Gavaskar felt that skipper MS Dhoni now has a “balanced side” at his disposal and that’s why the team was getting desired results in Twenty20 series.
“He has got now Yuvraj, Ashish Nehra, Hardik Pandya in the side. He has plenty of bowling and batting options. It has eased off the pressure on him. Bhajji (Harbhajan Sigh) is sitting on the bench which means it is a very good selection. The balance is terrific. Pandya can bat at number seven and can bowl. Even if a bowler is hammered around, Dhoni can go to the other bowler,” Gavaskar opined.
“The Aussies were under pressure and it was a good omen for the Indians for the World Twenty20.”
Australia on Friday rested Steven Smith and David Warner so that they can begin preparations for the New Zealand Test series but Gavaskar was not impressed.
“Anybody who is taking it lightly, representing the country, deserves the result they get. Always play with your best players. It smacks of arrogance,” he said.
