Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh reckons that batting great Virat Kohli is one of those players who thrive when things get difficult, and that's the time when they bring out their best. Kohli, who has already retired from T20Is and Tests will be seen featuring in the three-match ODI series against Australia, which is scheduled to start from October 19.
Harbhajan Singh for Virat Kohli's performance in the Australia ODI series
Harbhajan Singh, who was part of India's 2011 World Cup-winning side alongside young Virat, believes that Australia is his favourite hunting ground, and now that he’s making his comeback after the IPL, the batter will smash at least two centuries in a three-match ODI series.
“Some players thrive when things get difficult; that’s when they bring out their best. And Virat Kohli is one of those players. He shines on big occasions, and that’s what sets him apart from others. He waits for those big opportunities, those high-pressure games, and that’s when he shows why he’s a champion" Harbhajan said on JioHotstar’s ‘Amul Cricket Live’.
"When you perform against the best, that’s when you earn respect, and he’s earned that, especially after scoring those hundreds in Australia and taking on the responsibility of leading the team. Those are the challenges he looks forward to. Australia is his favourite hunting ground, and now he’s making his comeback after the IPL. I’m really looking forward to seeing him bat in those three ODIs, and hopefully, out of those three, he gets at least two centuries for India,” Harbhajan added.
Virat Kohli's ODI performance against Australia
Virat Kohli has played 50 ODIs against Australia, where he smashed 2451 runs with a highest score of 123 runs at an average of 54.46, including eight tons and 15 half-centuries. The batting maestro played 29 ODIs in Australia, where he scored 1327 runs, including five centuries and six half-centuries. Notably, Kohli needs 54 runs to surpass Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs) and become the second-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket history, behind only Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs). Kohli currently has 14,181 ODI runs at an average exceeding 57, the highest among batters with more than 10,000 runs.
India's squad against Australia
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal.