Tim Paine on Virat Kohli’s batting: “I like the way he plays”

Tim Paine on Virat Kohli’s batting: The Australian captain praised his Indian counterpart’s batting ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

Despite all the on-field banter which had happened between the two of them at Perth, Australia captain Tim Paine spoke highly about the batting of his Indian counterpart in Virat Kohli.

The 34-year old cricketer said that he loves watching Kohli bat in the middle. “A lot was made of my battle with Virat in the second Test, and for the past few years when I haven’t been playing international cricket, he was one guy I loved watching,” Paine was quoted as saying for a column in Herald Sun.

“Now to be out in the middle going head-to-head with him in a Test series is something I’m really relishing,” he added.

On being asked about Kohli’s aggressive behaviour followed by a frosty handshake at Perth, Paine didn’t make a fuss about it saying that he appreciates the passion and aggression with which Kohli plays.

“Virat is someone who is prepared to wear his heart on his sleeve and like all professional athletes, hates to lose.

“I like the way Virat plays. I don’t know him personally but I’ve always admired – not only his obvious skill as a player – but the passion and aggression he plays with. People like to see that and he gets fans through the gates,” Paine further added.

Speaking to the media ahead of the third Test at Melbourne, Kohli laid emphasis on whatever happened in Perth as ‘things which happen on the field‘. It is wonderful to see both the captains engaging in on-field battles but keeping all of that to the ground only. The fact that none of them has crossed any boundary with their actions speaks highly about them as leaders.

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