'I Like to See Virat Kohli Peaks at Right Time, Hope he Saves it For Final or Semifinal': Former England Spinner

Former England spinner Monty Panesar heaped praise on batting maestro Virat Kohli and suggested that his presence will be huge in the Indian team this ODI World Cup. Kohli is playing his fourth ODI World Cup this year and has won the title with MS Dhoni’s team in the 2011 showpiece event. The onus will be on Kohli, the senior player in the side, to guide the team in the mega ICC event and play some crucial knocks going forward.

Panesar feels that Kohli will set the trend in the tournament with his batting and intensity on the field as the home crowd will also be behind him in every match.

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“His presence is going to be absolutely huge for this Indian team. Virat Kohli will be setting the trend when it comes to batting — the intensity, running. He senses a moment on the field. He grabs the whole team and tells -– this is the winning moment, and let’s grab it.”

However, Panesar feels that Kohli should peak at the right time and reserve his best for the knockout phase.

“I like to see Kohli peaks at the right time. He peaked too early in last year’s T20 World Cup. I think he peaked too early during the group stages. He played an innings that was worthy of a final against Pakistan (in the group match). This time I hope he saves it for the final or for the semifinal,” Panesar told PTI.

Kohli had a sensational 2022 T20 World Cup where he started off with probably the best innings of his career – 82* against Pakistan in the group stage. However, India were eliminated from the semifinal stage.

Meanwhile, Kohli has been in terrific form in ODIs this year. He has scored 612 runs in 16 ODIs thus far this year which includes three centuries, with an average of 55.63. Recently, he also scored a crucial century for India in the Asia Cup Super 4 match against Pakistan.

India will start their campaign against Australia on October 8, Sunday at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Prior to WC, India played a three-match ODI series versus Australia where they emerged victorious 2-1. Kohli was rested for the first two matches and returned to the side in the third ODI where he scored a fine half-century but India lost the match.