Virat Kohli has expressed his concerns about the formidable presence of David Warner in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final. The Ex-Indian captain acknowledged that Warner possesses the ability to turn the game in Australia’s favor once he finds his rhythm.
Tasked with opening the innings for Australia alongside Usman Khawaja, Warner has endured a rather lean spell in 2023, managing just 36 runs across four innings. Nonetheless, the left-handed batsman showcased his prowess with a remarkable double century against South Africa in December 2022, and he also displayed promising form during the IPL 2023.
During an interview with the ICC, Virat Kohli emphasized the threat posed by David Warner to the Indian team in the WTC final. The former Indian skipper highlighted the importance of dismissing Warner early in order to prevent him from inflicting damage.
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“David Warner is an impact player. Once he gets going, he can swiftly seize control of the game. It is crucial for us to dismiss him swiftly, as he possesses the potential to consistently hurt the opposition early on,” said Kohli.
Kohli further acknowledged Warner’s ability to enter a zone where he relentlessly scores boundaries while minimizing errors.
“He seems to enter a zone where boundaries flow effortlessly, and he sustains that momentum without making many mistakes. It is imperative for us to remove him from the crease swiftly,” Kohli added.
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Highlighting Warner’s impactful contributions across all three formats for the Australian team, Kohli stressed the need for India to swiftly dismiss the dangerous batsman.
“Warner has consistently played impactful innings for Australia across all formats, including Test cricket. He has showcased his prowess on numerous occasions and is undoubtedly a player to watch out for. We must get rid of him as early as possible,” Kohli concluded.
The much-anticipated clash between India and Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final is scheduled to commence on June 7th at the Kennington Oval Stadium in London. Rohit Sharma will lead India, while Pat Cummins will lead Australia in this high-stakes encounter.