Shoaib Akhtar hails Kohli’s heroics
Former pacer hails RCB captain’s innings where he batted with nine stitches after splitting webbing in his left hand
Virat Kohli looks on during IPL final. PHOTO: AFP
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar on Monday hailed Virat Kohli’s heroics during the 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament, praising the batsman’s leadership and determination which led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to reach the final.
In an interview with Mid Day, the former pacer hailed RCB captain’s innings where he batted with nine stitches after splitting the webbing in his left hand, and went on to score 113 runs off 50 balls against Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.
The 40-year-old said that a batsman of Kohli’s calibre would have taken bigger risk and still would have come on top. “It was not a big risk. He would play with a broken leg and still score runs,” he said.
Kohli eyes maiden IPL crown for Bangalore
Shoaib further praised the Delhi-born’s energy on the field and stated that Kohli would go on to achieve great international milestones.
“Kohli is so energised to prove things, not to anybody, but to himself. He always challenges himself,” he said.
“I think he has a good five to seven years ahead of him, and I really wish someone like him will cross 100 international hundreds,” he added.
Kohli captains the Indian Test side, with 11 tons and 12 half-centuries in 41 matches. The 27-year-old further scored 25 centuries in one-days and is the favourite to replace current captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in limited-overs format.
Praise for record-breaking Kohli, de Villiers
Meanwhile, Shoaib said he was optimistic about Pakistani players joining the IPL in near the future.
“It would have been nice if our people could come out here and enjoy the IPL,” he said.
“It didn’t happen for a reason, but I am sure things will settle down and in coming years Pakistanis will play in IPL,” he added.
The former Pakistan pacer also participated in Star Sports event Team Shoaib Akthar vs Team Brett Lee yesterday, where his side won the match by 12 runs against Australian Lee’s team.
In an interview with Mid Day, the former pacer hailed RCB captain’s innings where he batted with nine stitches after splitting the webbing in his left hand, and went on to score 113 runs off 50 balls against Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.
The 40-year-old said that a batsman of Kohli’s calibre would have taken bigger risk and still would have come on top. “It was not a big risk. He would play with a broken leg and still score runs,” he said.
Kohli eyes maiden IPL crown for Bangalore
Shoaib further praised the Delhi-born’s energy on the field and stated that Kohli would go on to achieve great international milestones.
“Kohli is so energised to prove things, not to anybody, but to himself. He always challenges himself,” he said.
“I think he has a good five to seven years ahead of him, and I really wish someone like him will cross 100 international hundreds,” he added.
Kohli captains the Indian Test side, with 11 tons and 12 half-centuries in 41 matches. The 27-year-old further scored 25 centuries in one-days and is the favourite to replace current captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in limited-overs format.
Praise for record-breaking Kohli, de Villiers
Meanwhile, Shoaib said he was optimistic about Pakistani players joining the IPL in near the future.
“It would have been nice if our people could come out here and enjoy the IPL,” he said.
“It didn’t happen for a reason, but I am sure things will settle down and in coming years Pakistanis will play in IPL,” he added.
The former Pakistan pacer also participated in Star Sports event Team Shoaib Akthar vs Team Brett Lee yesterday, where his side won the match by 12 runs against Australian Lee’s team.