New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson is of the opinion that the indifferent form of Team India and Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli won’t have a bearing on his leadership and batting qualities when he goes out to lead India in the 2019 World Cup which is slated to be played in England and Wales from 30th May.
Lockie Ferguson is currently playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. He has been an impressive customer for New Zealand. However, he hasn’t been able to realize his potential in KKR colours. He has lost his place to Harry Gurney after ordinary performances in the first few games.
Lockie Ferguson stated that Virat Kohli is an ‘international superstar’ and the Black Caps will be well aware of what Virat Kohli can do to them during the World Cup.
“He is an international superstar. Playing for RCB is a lot different than playing for India,” Ferguson was quoted as saying by the IANS in an interview.
Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore is the bottom-ranked side in the tournament at the moment and have won just a solitary match from 8 outings. In addition to his team’s woes, Virat Kohli hasn’t been in the best of forms and has scored just 278 runs from 8 matches at a below-par average of 34.75 according to his standards.
There have been several former players who have time and again questioned the captaincy skills of Virat Kohli. RCB will take on Knight Riders in their next game on Friday at the Eden Gardens. Bangalore have to win the next game to keep any hopes alive. However, a defeat will all but ensure Bangalore cannot qualify for the playoffs.
“He hasn’t got the wins as he would have liked (in T20s), but that’s not to say he will go badly at the World Cup. It’s a different competition, different team and different format,” Lockie Ferguson stated.
The fast bowler further added that like all other teams he will also be cautious about Virat Kohli when the two teams meet during the quadrennial event. Ferguson said that Kohli has been scoring consistent runs and will continue to be a threat for the opposition.
“He has been scoring runs and will still be a threat.” He further added that a tournament like IPL might affect the workload management of a fast bowler. However, on a personal front, Lockie Ferguson said he loves playing games and he feels it’s the best way prepare for any tournament for him.
“For me personally, playing in games is often the best. So, from a physical point of view it’s not so tough but playing in the heat and things like that, travel takes a bit of a toll. But for me, getting game time will help in the World Cup.”