‘Probably the best ODI player of all time’: Aaron Finch eulogizes about Virat Kohli ahead of Sydney ODI

Aaron Finch eulogizes about Virat Kohli: The Australian captain was wax lyrical about his Indian counterpart ahead of the first ODI.

Australia have all but confirmed a solitary change to their ODI Playing XI ahead of the first ODI against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground tomorrow. From the Australian XI which took the field against England in Manchester more than two months ago, injured all-rounder Mitchell Marsh seems to be the only omission.

While batsman Steven Smith will be the only inclusion in the Australia’s Playing XI, the same will once again move all-rounder Marcus Stoinis down the order.

Speaking on the eve of the match, Australia captain Aaron Finch hinted at Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell joining hands to bowl the fifth bowler’s quota in the absence of Marsh. While Australia have the option of adding another all-rounder from the likes of Moises Henriques and uncapped Cameron Green, Finch spoke against adding an all-rounder “for the sake of it”.

“What Maxi’s [Glenn Maxwell] shown in T20 cricket in particular is his bowling keeps improving all the time. I think Marcus Stoinis has proved that as well with the amount of exposure he’s had over the past couple of years bowling at the death, it’s really important for us and it gives us a lot of flexibility in there,” Finch said today.

“In England, we had the three all-rounders with Mitch [Mitchell Marsh] so you can dissect the 10 overs a little bit easier, I guess. You’re still expecting when that fifth bowler is, or the combination of all-rounders are, bowling that minimum 10 overs that they’re still having an impact on the game.

“It’s not about picking all-rounders just for the sake of it, it’s also a key bowling spot as well,” the 34-year old player added. If need be, Finch can himself bowl a couple of overs or use Marnus Labuschagne’s leg-breaks to complete the quota.

Aaron Finch eulogizes about Virat Kohli

Being asked about his counterpart in Virat Kohli, Finch didn’t shy away from eulogizing about the Indian captain claiming him to be “probably the best ODI player of all time”. It is worth mentioning that Finch and Kohli have played 29 matches against each other in this format.

“If you look at his [Virat Kohli] record, it’s second to none. It really is remarkable. I think what we have to keep in mind is that we have to keep looking to get him out.

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“When you go away from that and you look to contain players you can miss a trick there. There’s not too many chinks in his armour. He’s probably the best one-day player of all time so it’s about sticking to our plans and being really committed in that regard,” Finch mentioned.

In the 40 ODIs that Kohli has played against Australia, his 1,910 runs have come at a stellar average and strike rate of 54.57 and 96.65 respectively which also includes eight centuries and as many half-centuries. In 26 ODIs in Australia, Kohli has amassed 1,154 runs at an average of 50.17 which further includes five centuries and four half-centuries.