CWC 2019: Mitchell Starc impressed by Virat Kohli's all-round game

Mitchell Starc is the leading wicket-taker in 2019 World Cup.

Starc loves Virat Kohli's aggression | Getty Impression

Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc on Tuesday, 9th July, heaped praise on Virat Kohli, saying India captain’s all-round game is pretty impressive while said his competitive approach on the field makes him different from other modern-day batsmen.

Recalling his stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Starc felt fortunate to get the opportunity to play under Kohli in the tournament that gave him the opportunity to know more about the dashing right-hander closely.

The paceman further said that he is enough fortunate to have dismissed the 30-year-old on a couple of occasions, though, he found sometimes difficult to save runs from him but says the India captain has incredible ability to score runs both at home and away.

As per cricket.com.au, Starc stated, “Virat Kohli is pretty good. We fought a good few battles along the way. He’s someone I’ve been fortunate enough to know through IPL cricket playing alongside for RCB and seen the way he approaches his cricket from a teammate’s perspective rather than an opposition.”

The left-arm paceman continued, “I’m fortunate enough to have taken his wickets a few times but he’s also hit me for runs along the way. I think his all-round game is pretty impressive. He can score runs at home and away which is incredibly important for any batsman around the world.”

Besides his masterclass both as captain and batsman, Kohli is also known for his on-field aggression, but Starc has described the stylish batsman as a 'chilled out' cricketer off the field.

The Aussie added, “He’s someone who loves competition whether it’s being a little bit more aggressive at times, he loves the competitive nature of cricket. When he steps back over the white line, he’s pretty chilled and works to get around the boys and that’s quite special as well.”

Meanwhile, the 29-year-old pacer also named AB de Villiers as one of the toughest to bowl to, saying he was lucky that he does not have to bowl at the Proteas batting legend anymore. 

He further stated, “Toughest to bowl to, it’s hard to put just one out there. I think AB de Villiers is obviously a big one to have to play against. Thankfully, he has retired from international cricket but he’s fantastic. He can hit the same ball to five different parts of the ground. It was great to have a few challenges against him and fortunate to get him out a couple of times along the way.”

The paceman also said he enjoys his fierce battles with his teammate Steve Smith at the net session. Starc signed off by saying, “Another one I don’t have to play against is Steve Smith. I still get to have those challenges in the nets, bowl more short balls to him and try bowling him fast. Having some of those net session competitions between the two has been incredible.”

(With cricket.com.au Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 10 Jul, 2019

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