India vs Bangladesh, Cricket World Cup: Virat Kohli is in top form.© AFP
There are no “big teams” at the World Cup and the setbacks at the mega event happen when the conversation revolves around the more successful teams, star Indian batsman Virat Kohli said on Wednesday. Kohli’s statement comes after two major setbacks during the ongoing World Cup. While Afghanistan stunned England by 69 runs in New Delhi on Sunday, the Netherlands registered their biggest win in the history of the game in Dharamsala on Tuesday when they shocked South Africa by 38 runs in a rain-shortened match. (Cricket World Cup Points Table)
“There are no big teams in the World Cup. If you just focus on bigger teams, there will be a shock,” Kohli told Star Sports ahead of India’s World Cup match against Bangladesh.
India have dominated Bangladesh at the World Cup and have not given them much after the 2007 defeat to their Asian neighbors in the Caribbean, but Kohli recalled the threat captain Shakib Al Hasan poses with the ball on Thursday.
“Over the years I have played against him (Shakib) a lot. He has great control. He is a very experienced bowler. He bowls very well with the new ball, knows how to deceive the batsman and is also very economical. Kohli said.
“You have to give your best against all these bowlers, and if you can’t do that, these bowlers can create pressure and increase the chances of getting you out.”
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya agreed with Kohli. “He is a very smart cricketer. He has been carrying Bangladesh on his shoulders for years,” Pandya said.
Shakib, on the other hand, believes that Kohli is the best batsman of the modern era.
“He (Kohli) is a special batsman, probably the best batsman of the modern era. I think I am lucky to get him out five times. Of course it will give me great pleasure to take his wicket,” said he.
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