Former South African pacer Makhaya Ntini feels that bowlers should completely keep themselves away from sledging the former Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the game, as it brings the best out of the prolific Indian batter in the match. The 34-year-old is known for his tremendous energy on the field, as he plays the games with a lot of aggression.
Virat Kohli is much more expressive in nature and makes everyone privy to his mood and the Indian batting maestro’s aggression has played a major role in shaping his career, as well as the mindset of the Indian team during his stint as the Indian skipper, where the team challenged high-quality teams in their backyard.
Speaking to the Revsportz, Makhya Ntini has warned the bowlers against sledging Virat Kohli in the field and urged them to keep quiet in the field, providing no contest to him in the game and added that would be advice from him to South African bowlers and feels that Virat Kohli likes to have more in the combat in the field which motivates him to perform at the highest level.
“Don’t sledge Virat Kohli. Any bowler who sledges him will have to pay the price. If you don’t sledge and just let him be, he could get bored and make a mistake.
“Let me tell you something about Virat Kohli, something I will tell every South African bowler who will bowl to him. Don’t say a word to him when he is batting. I repeat, don’t sledge him by saying anything to him. If you do so you are actually playing into his hands. He wants the sledge if you know him”.
“He wants the combat and loves such things. If you do so, you are giving in to what he wants and it will only make him that much more determined and he will make you pay. Rather, just keep silent against him,” Makhya Ntini said.
The Star Indian batter Virat Kohli, alongside skipper Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah is expected to play a vital role for India in the forthcoming Asia Cup 2023, as they carry an ample amount of experience playing in Sri Lankan conditions.