Dean Jones believes Kohli-Shastri duo will do well in South Africa

11/29/2017

Dean Jones has voiced his confidence about the successful Kohli-Shastri partnership predicting that they would do well in South Africa and could even emerge victorious in the process. Jones also stated that Virat Kohli has now become his favourite player, replacing the explosive Virender Sehwag.

India have turned into an all-conquering side since Ravi Shastri arrived at the helm back in July this year. After the controversial tenure of Anil Kumble ended with India’s Champions Trophy final defeat against Pakistan, the side hasn’t looked back, winning 19 out of the 24 matches played across all formats, boasting of a magnificent 79.16 winning percentage.

Virat Kohli’s form has also been synonymous with the national team's success during this span. The Indian skipper has played 24 matches (5 Tests, 13 ODIs, and 6 T20I) across all formats scoring a whopping 1459 runs at an average of 72.95. In the last five months, Kohli, across all formats, has seven centuries to his name with the highest score of 213, which came in Nagpur against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Test series.

Jones believes that the head coach is responsible for bringing out the best in an aggressive Kohli, who he revealed has become his favourite player, taking over that place from former hard-hitter Virender Sehwag. Kohli has leapfrogged Sehwag in some records as well. Earlier this year, Virat Kohli broke Sehwag’s record of most Test runs scored by a batsman in a single home season during a Test match against Bangladesh. On Sunday, he came to within one double ton of Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar’s record of having the most number of double hundreds for India where he sits second with five.

Jones also stated that the duo will do an impressive job away in South Africa early next year, where India are scheduled to play three Tests, 6 ODIs, and three T20I matches.

“Virat Kohli is my favourite player and he has taken over from Virender Sehwag. I love his aggression and belief to score runs on any pitch and Ravi Shastri brings the best out of Kohli as well. I'm expecting Virat to do a good job in South Africa," Jones said speaking to NDTV.

The former batsman, who has 18 centuries in his international career, was confident enough to claim that India might even emerge victorious in South Africa with the impressive bowling attack they possess. Apart from skipper Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin also achieved a phenomenal feat in India’s second Test win over Sri Lanka. The Tamil Nadu spinner became the fastest cricketer to reach 300 wickets in 54 games, leaving behind the likes of Dennis Lillee and Muttiah Muralitharan.

“Bowling is India's key and they have got really good pace attack. I love Shami, I love he goes about his bowling. Ashwin too will lead the spin attack. All in all, I won't be surprised if they try to do it (win the Test series)," said Jones

Dean Jones believes Kohli-Shastri duo will do well in South Africa

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