Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson are perhaps the two best batsmen in ODI cricket playing at the number three position. Meanwhile, both are the captains of their respective sides, India and New Zealand; who will be up against each other in a bilateral series, which is starting on Wednesday (January 23rd) in Napier. Ahead of the first ODI, Kane spoke to the media, as the New Zealand skipper shared high praise for his India counterpart.
Virat is certainly a player I admire – Williamson
Kane Williamson has said he respects Virat for what he has achieved in his cricketing career. Looking down at his records, Kane said Virat is a world-class batsman. NZ captain added he has all but the utmost respect for the India National Cricket Team captain; as he had known him for a long time now.
On how to keep Kohli silent for a long time, Kane said it’s not easy to combat him, but as a unit, the hosts would do their best.
“Someone like Virat is certainly a player I admire and enjoy watching and he’s pushing the boundaries of the game so that’s brilliant. He’s a respectful guy and I’ve known him for a very long time but as a player, obviously, word class and our focus is more about that and his cricketing ability and how we can combat him as best as we can,” Williamson said.
Williamson further noted Virat’s incredible ability to drag the game away from the opposition is something everyone is wary about. Kane added Virat is always a challenge to come up against; also, there are plans to keep him shut, but it all depends on the execution.
‘He’s always a challenge to come up against and is someone who is most admired in terms of how he goes about his cricket and he’s formidable in his run scoring so he’s definitely a player of note to try to shut down,” Kane Williamson added.
Virat Kohli owns ICC awards ahead of the series opener
The India National Cricket Team skipper, on Tuesday, bagged five ICC awards. Not only he got named as the captain of the ICC Test and ODI Team of the Year 2018, but also Virat won the ICC Cricketer of the Year 2018 award. Alongside, the right-handed batsman is also termed as the ICC Test and ODI Cricketer of the Year 2018.
Meanwhile, both New Zealand and India will face-off in the first of the five ODIs at the McLean Park in Napier.