Virat Kohli: Former Aussie all-rounder ranks the Indian skipper higher than Sachin Tendulkar in this aspect of the game
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Andy Bichel, former Aussie all-rounder and part of the 2003 Australian World Cup winning squad has rated Indian skipper, Virat Kohli a tad higher than all-time legend Sachin Tendulkar with respect to finishing the games.
Bichel was not a regular feature in the ever-potent Aussie side back then, but was nonetheless instrumental during the Aussie triumph in the 2003 World Cup. He averaged 117 with the bat during the Tournament and had picked up 16 wickets at a scintillating average of 12.31.
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Although he featured in only 8 out of the 11 games Australia played in that World Cup, he still emerged to be their superstar in the same, alongside the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds etc.
What did Bichel say?
Speaking at a promotional event in Delhi on Monday, Bichel was in all praise of the Indian skipper’s ability as a finisher. For this ability of his, he also credited MS Dhoni’s experience at the back end of the innings, which provided him the assistance to ‘finish’ games on a regular basis.
The future looks bright! 😊 pic.twitter.com/78LmfFMXjY
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) May 19, 2019
He compared Kohli’s ability with that of Sachin Tendulkar, and opined that the former’s change in mindset has provided the fuel needed to finish off games.
“Experience of MS (Dhoni) at the back end has helped Kohli, and the Indian skipper has brought that into his game. I think back to Sachin (Tendulkar) and taking nothing away from him, Kohli has changed the mindset and fulfilled the role of being a finisher and being there in the end during big chases.
Bichel on Dhoni
The right-arm pacer also was of the view that Dhoni’s presence in the side has aided the present Indian skipper, and his valuable inputs will play an important role in Virat leading his side in the World Cup.
“In the middle-over period when you have to ring in changes, those decisions have to sharp made by (Virat) Kohli and he is going to need MS’s (Dhoni) experience to deliver that. MS is laid-back and relaxed and probably playing in his last World Cup. Hopefully he’ll enjoy the whole journey and goes there and performs the only way that he can. He’s an amazing player, he’ll do what is required to do,” Bichel said about the importance of Dhoni.
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