Virat Kohli center of attraction as India gear up for Australia clash in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final

Virat Kohli has had a love-hate relationship with the Australians since his early days at the highest level.

Sydney: Virat Kohli has had a love-hate relationship with the Australians since his early days at the highest level. As India and Australia gear-up to face each other in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at Sydney, there is a lot of talk about Kohli being a game-changer. Earlier in the summer, he was in great form during the Test series, leading India in a couple of them. Apart from scoring runs with the bat, Kohli also stirred the Aussies up by being involved in a few verbal volleys. India vs Australia ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final: What the pitch could be like?

So, will Australia target Kohli when they play India in the semi-final? Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, believes it would be unwise as they would then struggle against the other batsmen. “I think if you single out one, you would be then struggling with the other 10. India have got wonderful talent right down from No. 1 to 11,” he said while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an ICC event in Sydney. In this tournament, India’s batsmen have found their mojo, with Nos 1 to 6 getting at least one good knock. Virat Kohli vs Australia: Stats highlights of India’s star batsman ahead of World Cup 2015 semi-final

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

Brett Lee, the former Australian pacer, was all praise for Kohli and billed him a big-game player. “Virat is a world class player and he has proven that over the last few years. He obviously has got the right technique, a wonderful opportunity now for to go and stamp his authority in the game. He is a big game player. He will be looking forward to the semi-final. I know that he also loves to play against Australia. He will be looking forward to Thursday,” he said. India vs Australia 2015 World Cup semi-final: Virat Kohli looks to continue good show SCG

In 17 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against Australia, Kohli has scored 620 runs at an average of 51.66 with three tons and two fifties. He also got his 52-ball ton, the fastest for India in ODIs, against Australia in Jaipur in 2013. However, he is yet to get a ton against Australia in Australia and the semi-final could be the perfect platform for him to break that deadlock.

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)

About the Author

• 
•