Former Australian captain Michael Clarke commended Virat Kohli for his exceptional management of the chase during the eagerly awaited Champions Trophy semi-final. Kohli assumed responsibility after India lost their openers early in pursuit of 265 runs, stabilizing the innings with a commendable 84-run performance. He reestablished control for India through a significant 91-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer. Kohli's remarkable running between the wickets frustrated the Australian side, as he did not solely depend on boundaries to advance the score. His presence in the middle was instrumental in maintaining pressure on Australia, ensuring that the required run rate remained manageable despite hitting only five boundaries throughout his innings.

Clarke expressed admiration for Kohli's skill in navigating the chase by accurately evaluating the conditions and positioning his team for success once more.

"He once again demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the conditions. A player of his caliber, he recognized precisely what his team required and how to guide them toward victory. We witnessed similar brilliance in his century against Pakistan," Clarke remarked on JioHotstar.

Kohli managed just five boundaries in his disciplined innings, prioritizing a risk-averse approach to run accumulation after India found themselves at 43-2 in the eighth over. He applied pressure on the Australian team by consistently rotating the strike with singles and doubles, ensuring the scoreboard continued to progress during this critical phase of the match. Although he was dropped by Glenn Maxwell off Connolly when he reached 51, Zampa ultimately curtailed his innings, dismissing him with a googly that was caught by Ben Dwarshuis at long-on, leaving India at 225-5; however, by that point, the outcome of the match was nearly decided.

“Virat Kohli has every shot in the book…”: Clarke

Clarke confidently declared Kohli as the greatest ODI cricketer in history, highlighting his remarkable capacity to excel in high-pressure situations.

"Virat possesses an extensive repertoire of shots—his talent for finding boundaries is indisputable. In my view, he stands as the greatest one-day cricketer of all time, consistently demonstrating this on the grandest stages and in the most challenging circumstances. He understands the demands of the moment and consistently performs when it is most crucial," he concluded.

Read Also: Gambhir’s Fury Unleashed After Kohli Falls, Intense Sideline Talk Follows

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!