ISLAMABAD – Mickey Arthur, head coach of the Pakistan cricket team’s remarkon India captain Virat Kohli’s batting has stirred a new debate incricketing circles. Kohli has been in sensational form across formatsthroughout the last season. However, Arthur believes the 29-year-old willfind it hard to score runs against in side in Pakistan. “Kohli is afantastic player but our team will make it hard (for him) to score acentury there (Pakistan). It has been a great pleasure to watch Kohliscoring against all teams and it is always enjoyable to watch his batting.However, our bowlers will not make it easy for him to score there,” Arthursaid.
Given Kohli’s impressive batting record, Arthur’s comments surprised quitea few cricket watchers. Last week, Kohli notched up his 33rd ODICentury against South Africa. The stylish right-hander has now scored acentury in all the nine countries (full-members) he has played in. WhileKohli has not played in Pakistan, he enjoys a formidable record againstthem.
Last month, Kohli was crowned cricketer of the year by the ICC, capping offa strong innings for the superstar batsman across all three formats of thegame.
Kohli is just the fourth Indian to win the prestigious Sir Garfield SobersTrophy, following in the footsteps of batting greats Sachin Tendulkar(2010), Rahul Dravid (2004) and teammate Ravichandran Ashwin (2016).
“It’s the first time winning the Garfield Sobers Trophy, and it’s a hugehonour for me,” Kohli said in a statement.
“It’s probably the biggest of all in world cricket and two Indians gettingit back-to-back makes it more special.”
Kohli was also crowned the world’s best one-day batsman, winning that titlefor the second time since 2012.
During the voting period from 21 September 2016 to end-2017, Kohli scored2,203 Test runs at an average of 77.80 including eight centuries.
He accumulated 1,818 runs in the one-day format including seven centuries.
The 29-year-oldlink>wasalso bestowed a rare honour — selected to captain the ICC’s Test and ODIsides, a team in name only that comprises the best players from around theglobe.
India emerged as the world’s best Test side in 2017 under Kohli, with anunbroken series winning streak at home. He also leads the ODI and Twenty20teams for the subcontinent.