Has Shane Warne decoded Virat Kohli's weakness?
What's the story
Indian skipper Virat Kohli is, undoubtedly, the best batsman in world cricket today. Be it any format of the game, Kohli is a thorn in the bowlers' flesh as they struggle to get him out every single time he comes out to bat. However, Australian spin legend Shane Warne thinks he might have a way to restrict Kohli and get him out.
Twitter Post
Here's what Warne said about Kohli
Shane Warne has some advice for the bowlers facing Virat Kohli#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/ce6H5TOBAp
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 10, 2019
Protection
Do not attack; protect both sides of the wicket
Warne feels that the mistake most of the bowlers do against Kohli is attacking him. Instead, he feels that using both sides of the wickets is a viable option. Warne feels that teams should make him lay either on off or leg side, along with enough protection to restrict his scoring abilities. Further, since he can score on both sides, no bowling straight.
Doesn't matter
Kohli seems to have answers for all the plots
No matter what the plot is, Kohli seems to have all the answers. Since 2016, Kohli has faced 64.95% of the balls outside off while 31.01% have been straight. He has responded to the outside-off balls with an average of 85.76, only slightly lower than his overall average of 88.55. Interestingly, Australia have bowled 51.15% of the deliveries outside in the ongoing ODI series.
Twitter Post
Kohli is GOAT? Warne confused!
I just got asked if I thought @imVkohli is better than @BrianLara or @sachin_rt
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 9, 2019
Let me think about that and come back to you I said. @ivivianrichards to me was the best batsman after Bradman, but in modern times mmmmm. Tough one ! Thoughts followers whilst I contemplate ?
GOAT
King Kohli to rule for quite some time now
No matter how hard one plots or how much one likes or hates him, Kohli is undoubtedly the GOAT of modern cricket. He is ready to rule for a long time. While he scripts records in almost every single game he plays, there would be no harm in saying that Kohli is already a legend and is a future Hall of Famer.
Quote
Kohli sets himself apart from everyone else
Warne, speaking on Kohli, says, "You know records are different in different eras and it's very hard to judge. All you can judge is how a player is in their era, and Virat Kohli is so far ahead in one-day cricket than everybody else."