ICC World Cup 2019 | Virat Kohli’s intensity is the key to India’s semi-finals spot, says Gautam Gambhir

Kohli had led the Indian side with example and has been an instrumental captain in recent times. India have tasted enormous success under his leadership and Kohli will be hoping to clinch the title in his maiden World Cup as captain. Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, in his column for TOI, has shortlisted India among the four semi-finalists and feels that the team’s success will highly depend on Kohli’s intensity. 

"I am not sure if Madame Tussauds, London, has a statue of Virat Kohli. The one in New Delhi has him. It’s a brilliant job but it misses Virat’s intensity; the energy in his pose is not there. India are one of my four semi-finalists. But for that to happen, Virat’s intensity is key," Gambhir wrote.

England have been in red hot form while Australia have peaked at the right time. Gambhir has also named his other three semi-finalists and hailed Australian coach Justin Langer for his man management skills. 

"My other three semi-finalists are Australia, England and New Zealand. In Australia's case, I am bullish more because of their big daddy Justin Langer and then, of course, the team. Having known Langer the coach, I feel his man-management skills are one of Australia’s biggest strengths. The fact that he was not the most talented of batsmen makes him understand his role so well," Gambhir added.