Asia Cup 2023: How will Virat Kohli resist Pakistan’s high-qualify tempo assault? Sanjay Bangar explains

Former India batter Sanjay Bangar has mentioned Virat Kohli is nicely ready to cope with the explosive bowling arsenal that Pakistan boasts within the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 match in Pallekele on Saturday, September 2.

Virat Kohli has dominated Pakistan throughout the white-ball codecs and Bangar mentioned the previous captain’s improved type will solely enable him to increase his good file towards his favorite foes.

In the lead-up to the big-ticket encounter in Pallekele, quite a bit has been mentioned in regards to the high-quality Pakistan tempo assault and their leg-spinner Shadab Khan. Pakistan have the posh of taking part in all of their three frontline pacers within the XI in Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf. Pakistan are heading into the match with a 238-run thumping win over Nepal in Multan.

India vs Pakistan, Weather Forecast in Pallekele for Sept 2

Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf shared 5 wickets between them, gaining confidence forward of their large take a look at towards India.

“Yes, Virat Kohli is ready for the Greatest Rivalry in world cricket, India versus Pakistan. The last time these two nations played, Virat came out with a special innings, and that shot versus Haris Rauf will be etched in the memories of cricket lovers for a long, long time,” Sanjay Bangar advised Star Sports.

Notably, the sensational knock towards Melbourne marked the start of Virat Kohli hitting prime gear ater having had a lean patch from 2020 to 2022. Kohli hit his maiden T20 hundred within the Asia Cup towards Afghanistan and carried ahead his type into the T20 World Cup in Australia.

Asia Cup 2023: Points Table

In 2023, Kohli’s prowess was additional demonstrated in his efficiency towards Sri Lanka. He smashed 113 runs off 87 balls on the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. He adopted this up with one other ton – 166 – within the third match of the Sri Lanka ODI sequence on the Greenfield International Stadium. Kohli couldn’t repeat his performances towards New Zealand and Australia at residence however the star batter appears to be in a very good state of mind to recreate his previous heroics.

The former batting coach, who has usually labored with Virat Kohli in the course of the star batter’s lean section, defined how he thinks Virat Kohli is well-equipped to face every of the Pakistan bowlers, who’re anticipated to hassle the Indian batters.

VIRAT vs SHAHEEN

“Now, what has Virat Kohli done in the last six to eight months? How has he come out of a little bit of a bad patch wherein he wasn’t scoring big runs? But now he has got into that habit of scoring big runs again. Generally, he was sort of lunging towards the ball, making a big stride forward, and because of that, he was getting out a lot in the slip cordon or also was getting out trapped in front of the wicket. So what is he doing now? He is setting up really nice and early, staying still, allowing the ball to come to him.

“That is one facet that’s going to assist him large time, particularly towards Shaheen Shah Afridi as a result of he will get the ball to swing in late. And if we’re watching the ball, letting it come to you, you’ll be able to really play it down the bottom or play it to mid-on or mid-wicket area; that’s the place his power is.”

VIRAT VS NASEEM AND HARIS

“Against Naseem Shah, as a result of he isn’t lunging ahead, his judgement outdoors off stump goes to be good. And towards Haris Rauf, who’s form of again of the size on a regular basis, he can rock onto the again foot or play these pull photographs which he did very well within the final Asia Cup.”

VIRAT VS SPINNERS

“Against the spinners, he has his personal strategies of scoring runs. Against Shadab Khan, he’ll look to rock onto the again foot, play between level and canopy area, quite a bit on the again foot. Against Mohammad Nawaz, he’ll look to make use of his ft as a result of he isn’t afraid of doing that. And if the ball is pitched barely brief, then he can rock onto the again foot and discover that space on both facet of the deep mid-wicket area. So that’s how Virat Kohli goes to counter the Pakistan bowling, and it’s fairly assured that the depth he generates in these video games goes to raise not solely his recreation but additionally the depth on this essential match towards Pakistan.”

Published On:

Sep 1, 2023