'First One To Come For Training And Leaves Last': RCB Pacer Praises Virat Kohli Ahead Of WTC Final

31.05.2023 - 08:09 sports.ndtv.com

Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has spoken highly of Royal Challengers Bangalore teammates Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj ahead of the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval starting June 7.

Hazlewood, who has been battling with multiple injuries over the last six months, had to cut short his IPL stint with a side issue.

However, he feels he is not far from bowling full tilt as Australia gear up for the big final. Talking about Kohli, whose wicket he will be targeting at The Oval, Hazlewood said the Indian superstar's work ethic makes him the player that he is. "I think it's probably how hard he works (that stands out).

His fitness first of all - and then his skill work and batting and fielding in particular. "He is always out there (training) first and leaves last … and the intensity he trains at all the time is at such a high level it drags everyone else along for the ride.

cricket Australia Cricket Team Virat Kohli Josh Hazlewood Australia India Bangalore

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam tops the list ahead of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith with the highest batting average at the number four batting spot in the Test format after playing a minimum number of 15 innings. Babar has a phenomenal average of 69.10 after playing 20 innings. During this period he has struck 8 half-centuries and four tons. The former Australian skipper Steve Smith holds the second position with an average of 55.40 in 30 innings. He has scored 6 half-centuries and four hundred with his impeccable batting style.

"Virat Kohli And Ajinkya Rahane Needed To...": Glenn McGrath On India's WTC Final Defeat

"Sometimes it can happen", was what fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath said on Monday about India's capitulation in the World Test Championship final against Australia in London. India suffered a crushing 209-run defeat to Australia on the fifth day of the summit clash at the Oval on Sunday. "Sometimes, it can happen like that. Yeah, conditions in England are a lot different to what Indian cricket has been playing in. Sometimes that happens that way, it's called that bit of dressing room pressure," McGrath, who is Director of Coaching at MRF Pace Foundation, told reporters here.

Virat Kohli's Cryptic Instagram Story After WTC Final Loss Leaves Fans Confused

Virat Kohli took to social media to share a cryptic message just hours after India were defeated by Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at The Oval on Sunday. Kohli was dismissed by Scott Boland for 49 and India ended up losing seven wickets in the first session of Day 5 to slump to a 209-run loss. Kohli shared a picture on his Instagram story which read - "Silence is the source of great strength". There was no explanation provided with the picture and it left several fans quite confused.

Anushka Sharma's Stunned Expression After Virat Kohli's Dismissal Is All Of Us

Virat Kohli looked in sublime touch on Day 5 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final between India and Australia at The Oval but the star India batter fell just one run short of a well-deserved half-century. It took a spectacular catch from Steve Smith at the slips to put an end to Kohli's innings as he fell for Scott Boland's ploy to dismiss him. Boland kept bowling a slightly off-stump line to him and Kohli finally ended up edging a wide delivery to Smith at third slip. The dismissal left all India fans shocked as it was a crucial wicket with respect to the game and his wife Anushka Sharma's reaction went viral on social media.

'Fortunate Enough To Have Played With MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma': Yuzvendra Chahal Reminisces India Debut

Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal on Sunday reminisced on his debut for the senior national team and termed MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, all the skippers he played under, as his mentors. The 32-year-old spinner made his international debut for India on this day during an ODI against Zimbabwe back in 2016. Since then, Chahal has been a regular fixture in India's white-ball teams. In 72 ODIs, Chahal has taken 72 wickets at an average of 27.13 and at an economy rate of 5.26. His best bowling figures in the format are 6/42.

WTC Final: Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane Face Their 'Biggest Test' As India Look To Do The Unthinkable

Into the final day of their second ICC World Test Championship final, the Indian team has its back stacked against the wall, chasing a 'record' target of 444 runs against Australia at the Oval. With Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane still in the middle, the subcontinent giants will step into the field to beat all odds to clinch the "Ultimate Test" trophy that they failed to against New Zealand two years ago. With Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara back in the hut, the onus is on Kohli and Rahane to stand up and deliver.