Mitchell Starc on friendship with Virat Kohli: The Australian speedster spoke about known Kohli off the field as well.
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Australia’s premier fast bowler in Mitchell Starc was recently vocal about his friendship with Indian captain Virat Kohli. 28-year old Starc was seen featuring in a video by cricket.com.au.
Post Australia’s tour of India last year, Kohli had spoken of him no longer remaining on friendly terms with some of the Australian cricketers. Starc, who has played with Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, said that there is no bitterness between the two of them.
“We had some good battles on the field through that series, all in good fun and had a few laughs about it and caught up after one of the Test matches. If that’s the case, so be it. But I’m sure I’ll have a few chats with him over this series and share a laugh and chat about the series once it’s done,” Starc said of the Indian captain.
Starc laid emphasis on the fact that whatever people make of Kohli is after watching him play on the ground. For someone who knows him off the field as well, Starc believes that Kohli is a ‘nice guy’ off the field.
“I got to know him a fair bit off the field and I think probably know him a bit better than some of my Australian teammates. (They) obviously only see them on the cricket field and the general public see what a competitor he is and how much he loves the challenge of performing home and away and to be one of the best players in the world.
“I’ve got to see a bit off the field, where he’s very different. (He’s) such a nice guy off the field, he’s got a lot of time for everyone and just loves to be part of the boys, whether its playing FIFA or being around the team room. I guess in a similar way to perhaps myself and some of the others, there’s a bit of white-line fever there when you get on the cricket field and you just want to perform your best for your country,” Starc added.
Apart from Starc in the video are Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh and Aaron Finch, all of whom end up praising Kohli heavily. “He’s just one guy who seems every time he’s getting on the field, he is giving his absolute everything. He goes to England [a place where he hasn’t scored as many runs in the past], changes his game, plays different and becomes one of the leading run-scorers. He’s ultra competitive,” said Cummins.
All-rounder Marsh highlighted Kohli’s hunger and desire. “Like all great players, it’s just the pure hunger and desire to win and score runs for their country. That’s ultimate, what it comes down to. Hopefully, we are going to get on top of him early,” Marsh said.
Also a part of Australia’s Test squad now, limited-overs captain Finch termed any match played opposite Kohli as a ‘great battle’. “Virat [Kohli] is obviously an unbelievable player. He’s had success all round the world now. It’s always a great battle when he plays,” Finch said.
Read some of the latest Twitter reactions on Kohli below:
