Asia Cup 2023: 'Since Virat Kohli's Hundred Against Australia In Ahmedabad, I've Seen...' - Matthew Hayden's Huge Remark

Former Australia National Cricket Team batsman Matthew Hayden has made a colossal remark on the modern-day batting great Virat Kohli, saying that he has seen a different avatar of the batter since his century against Australia in Ahmedabad earlier this year.

Kohli had hit a remarkable 186 runs off 364 balls, with 15 boundaries, in the fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 against the Australia National Cricket Team at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in March 2023. His sensational performance also helped him win the Player of the Match award.

Meanwhile, Matthew Hayden feels that there are no concerns about the form of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and said that the big players look for the big stage to perform and that India’s modern-day batting greats are ready for World Cup.

“Since his hundred against Australia in Ahmedabad, I’ve seen a different Virat Kohli. I haven’t seen a lot of his performances of late coming into the West Indies.

“But big players want big tournaments and both of those two names will be set for a big World Cup. They’ll both play I think according to that. I wouldn’t be too worried about it,” told media on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Award in Mumbai, as quoted by PTI.

Rahul Dravid is important for your Tilak Varmas, he is, probably, important for your Suryakumar Yadavs as well – Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden was also asked whether India head coach Rahul Dravid is conservative in his approach. He said that coaches are responsible for grooming the players, but at the end of the day, it’s the players’ responsibility to win the competitions.

“Like Rahul (Dravid) is important for your Tilak Varmas, he is, probably, important for your Suryakumar Yadavs as well. We’re gonna have another great name here in Baz (Brendon) McCullum…where it’s not always the innovation that wins you World Cups or tournaments. I mean, as much as people were talking about Bazball, it was still in England, a drawn series (Ashes 2023),” Hayden said.

Meanwhile, India will be eyeing to win two mega events – Asia Cup and World Cup – under head coach Rahul Dravid and in the presence of senior players in Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah.

Talking further about Virat Kohli, he was recently seen in action on the India tour of the West Indies 2023. He batted exceptionally well in the two Test innings as he registered scores of 76 and 121. The 34-year-old was also part of ODIs against the Men In Maroon, but he featured only in the first game where he didn’t bat and was rested for the remainder of the series.