India Tour of Australia: ‘Virat Kohli is an antagonist and plays aggressively,’ reckons Allan Border

India Tour of Australia: ‘Virat Kohli is an antagonist and plays aggressively,’ reckons Allan Border

Virat Kohli and Allan Border

Virat Kohli and Allan Border
Virat Kohli and Allan Border

Former Australian skipper Allan Border praised Indian captain Virat Kohli for keeping Test cricket alive in the current era. He feels that the big three teams of the sport: India, England and Australia need to keep the five-day matches away from the growing threat of franchise cricket. 

Border also mentioned that Australia has the upper hand in the upcoming Test series as Virat Kohli would be leaving after the first game. Calling him irreplaceable, the former Aussie predicted the series result 2-1 in favour of the home team.

“He [Kohli] is an antagonist and plays aggressively. It is up to players like Kohli and teams like India, England and Australia to keep Test cricket alive from the growing threat of franchise cricket,” Border told ABC.

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“We were hoping his baby would be born in Australia so that we can claim him or her to be an Australian!,” Border expressed his fondness for Kohli.

“Very confident of Australia’s chances, especially when playing in Australia. The one thing that is in Australia’s favour is Virat Kohli playing only the first Test. I think that is a big ‘out’ for India. He is irreplaceable at the moment as a batsman and a leader. Should be 2-1 to Australia,” Border said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

IPL can’t take place ahead of World T20: Border

2021 t20 world cup
India set to host ICC T20 World Cup in 2021

It’s no news that the Australian legend Allan Border is definitely not a fan of franchise cricket. He also went on to say that the ‘money grab’ IPL can not take place ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. 

“[I’m] not happy with that. The world game should take precedence over local competition. So, the World T20, if that can’t go ahead, I don’t think the IPL can go ahead. I would question that decision, it’s just a money grab, isn’t it, that one?” Border said

“The World T20 should take precedence, for sure. The home boards should stop their players going to the IPL if that’s the case,” he concluded.

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