Heaping praise on Virat Kohli, former Australia skipper Michael Clarke has warned Australia to look out for the India captain in the third Test at Ranchi, starting March 16.
The 28-year-old walked into the series after scoring four double-centuries in as many series but surprisingly, his bat has remained quiet in the ongoing series. Kohli has scored only 40 runs so far with 0, 13, 12 and 15 in four innings. But Clarke feels it might be the silence before the big storm.
“When I see Virat Kohli’s only made 40 runs in the series I think uh-oh, lookout in Ranchi. He’s going to get a double hundred. This man is a freak, he’s an unbelievable superstar in all three formats. He’s so disciplined in every single thing he does,” Clarke told India Today.
Speaking about Kohli’s failure with the bat, Clarke said the team’s victory is of utmost priority before backing Kohli to score big in the remaining two matches.
“This is a part of leadership that you probably don’t know until you become the captain of your country, you don’t care if your successful personally you care that your team is successful. Virat Kohli right now will be thinking,”if I get four ducks in the next two Test matches but India wins, I’m the happiest captain in the world.” And with that attitude Virat Kohli will be making runs in the next two matches,” the 35-year-old added.
The World Cup-winning captain further said Kohli might not opt for a different approach when he comes out to bat next time. He also had a word of praise for the Indian star’s focused attitude.
“His preparation will be exactly the same what turns him around when he walks out and makes a hundred or a double ton because he’s very consistent. He trains exactly the same way, whether he makes a hundred or gets a duck.
“He’s very strict with his diet, very disciplined with his training. He’s very goal orientated. He has a focus, he has a drive and he wants to achieve that goal. Right now that is to beat Australia 3-1 because they can’t win 4-0. He’s clear in what he wants to achieve,” Clarke concluded.