India vs West Indies: key player battles

3) Kohli vs Pollard/Russell

Virat Kohli is the face of Indian cricket. The anointed successor to Dhoni’s hallowed crown has been the most consistent Indian (arguably worldwide) cricketer in the last four seasons. Kohli scaled different peaks in the 2016 IPL season.

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In an action packed tournament, Kohli’s astonishing form saw him garner 973 runs in 16 innings. Not only that, he scored a mind boggling four centuries and had seven further scores above 50. Never had any batsman, in the history of the tournament, displayed such monumental feats of run scoring.

West Indies may not boast as consistent a performer as Kohli, but they have an array of world class all-rounders, who are especially adept in this format. A couple of seasons ago, Kieron Pollard could have rivalled Chris Gayle as the MVP of West Indies cricket.

Now that tag belongs to Andre Russell. The 28 year old Jamaican has gallivanted over the world winning tournament after tournament. At the same time, he has dazzled with his hard hitting, deadly bowling and electrifying fielding.

In the past West Indies have tried to intimidate Kohli by pitting their gigantic figures against the Delhi boy. However, Kohli isn’t one to back down and lets his willow do his talking. It remains to be seen who gets one over whom this time.

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Sitam Chaki