ICC World Cup 2019 | Fortunate enough to have known Virat Kohli through IPL, says Mitchell Starc
Cricket.com.au
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who played for Royal Challengers Bangalore under the leadership of Virat Kohli, has said that he is fortunate to have known Kohli through the IPL. Starc also hailed Kohli's all-round batting ability, while praising him for his competitive nature.
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who is the leading wicket-taker so far in this World Cup with 26 wickets, has tormented batsmen with his toe-crushing inswinging yorkers throughout the course of the tournament. Starc, who opted out of the Indian Premier League this season to take care of his body, earlier played alongside Indian skipper Virat Kohli for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Speaking about Kohli, Starc was full of praise for the Indian skipper, admitting that he was fortunate to have played under him during the IPL. Starc also hailed Kohli's cricketing intelligence, pointing out at his ability to read matches from a teammate's perspective.
“Virat Kohli is pretty good. We fought a good few battles along the way. He’s someone I’ve been fortunate enough to know through IPL cricket playing alongside for RCB and seen the way he approaches his cricket from a teammate’s perspective rather than an opposition,” Starc said in an interview to cricket.com.au.
Kohli carries an impeccable record against the Aussies, having struck eight ODI centuries, and Starc has been on the receiving end more often than not. Starc acknowledged the battles Kohli has won over him, while lauding his all-round ability with the bat, praising him for scoring runs 'both home and away'.
“I’m fortunate enough to have taken his wickets a few times but he’s also hit me for runs along the way. I think his all-round game is pretty impressive. He can score runs at home and away which is incredibly important for any batsman around the world,” Starc said.
Aggression is a word often associated with the Indian skipper, but Starc has described Kohli as a "chilled out" person off the field, while also complimenting his competitive and aggressive nature every time he takes the field.
“He’s someone who loves competition whether it’s being a little bit more aggressive at times, he loves the competitive nature of cricket. When he steps back over the white line, he’s pretty chilled and works to get around the boys and that’s quite special as well," Starc added.
When quizzed about the toughest batsmen he has bowled to, Starc was quick to name Proteas legend AB de Villiers, while also admitting that he loves to compete with Steve Smith in the nets. Alongside Kohli, Starc also shared a dressing room with de Villiers for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
“Toughest to bowl to, it’s hard to put just one out there. I think AB de Villiers is obviously a big one to have to play against. Thankfully, he has retired from international cricket but he’s fantastic. He can hit the same ball to five different parts of the ground. It was great to have a few challenges against him and fortunate to get him out a couple of times along the way,” Starc said.
“Another one I don’t have to play against is Steve Smith. I still get to have those challenges in the nets, bowl more short balls to him and try bowling him fast. Having some of those net session competitions between the two has been incredible.” the left-arm pacer concluded.
Starc will be gearing up to face England in the second semi-final at Edgbaston on Thursday, with the left-arm pacer one wicket away from setting the all-time record for the most wickets picked in a single World Cup.
