Virat Kohli’s big claim: One guy will be a surprise package going to Australia

Tags: Sri Lanka tour of India 2020, India Vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I at Indore, Jan 07, 2020, Sri Lanka, India, Virat Kohli

Published on: Jan 09, 2020

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Indian pace bowlers Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur shone in the second T20I against Sri Lanka at Indore on Tuesday. While Saini (2 for 18) impressed with his pace and bounce, especially the unplayable yorker he delivered to Danushka Gunathilaka, Thakur (3 for 23) stood out with his variations, running through the lower order.

Thanks to the efforts of the duo, and KL Rahul with the bat, India registered an easy seven-wicket triumph over the Lankans. While Indian skipper Virat Kohli was expectedly all praise for man of the match Saini and Thakur, he sprang a surprise by naming one more pacer he felt could be handy in the format with the World T20 coming up towards the end of the year.

Kohli was referring to upcoming bowler from Karnataka, Prasidh Krishna. “You'll have to figure out who are the people that are very similar in their bowling skills, and you pick the senior one. I think one guy will be a surprise package going to Australia. Someone who can bowl with pace and has bounce,” Kohli said while speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony.

“Prasidh Krishna has done well in the domestic arena. It is a great luxury to have this group of bowlers in all formats. Looking at the World Cup, we have enough options,” Kohli went on to add.

Kohli, who became the fastest captain to reach 1,000 runs in T20Is during his unbeaten knock of 30 from 17 balls, also showered praise on Saini, especially the pace he generated at Indore.

"Navdeep has come into the ODI circuit as well. He is gaining more confidence in T20 cricket. You can really see him letting himself go. When he does that, he can clock those speeds which he did. It's great to see him getting people out with yorkers and bouncers and with pace. It's a really good sign for the team," a pleased Kohli added.

On Jasprit Bumrah's comeback from injury, the Indian captain stated, "Really pleased to have Jasprit back in the side. He's bowling with pace again."

The match also marked the comeback of opener Shikhar Dhawan, who missed the previous series against West Indies. Dhawan made a slow 32 from 29. The third and final T20I will be held at Pune on Friday.

--Renin Wilben Albert

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