ICC World Cup 2023: "Any Bowler Who Sledges Virat Kohli Will Have To Pay The Price" - Makhaya Ntini Warns Bowlers
Published - 29 Aug 2023, 04:30 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:17 AM
Former South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini recently shared a unique approach to preventing star Indian batter Virat Kohli from scoring runs on the field. Makhaya Ntini advised bowlers not to sledge against Virat Kohli, who enjoys taking on opposition bowlers.
Virat Kohli was rested from the T20I series against the West Indies and Ireland to manage his workload. The 34-year-old will be next seen in action during the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17.
Don’t Sledge Virat Kohli – Makhaya Ntini
“Don’t sledge Virat Kohli. Any bowler who sledges him will have to pay the price. If you don’t sledge and just let him be, he could get bored and make a mistake,” Ntini said.
Kohli has been in brilliant form in ODI matches this year, scoring 427 runs in nine innings with an impressive average of 53.38 and an equally impressive strike rate of 116.03. He smashed two centuries against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
Don’t Say A Word To Virat Kohli – Maakhaya Ntini
The former South African cricketer offered valuable advice to his team’s bowlers when facing Virat Kohli, encouraging them to be strategic and avoid engaging in usual tactics.
“Let me tell you something about Virat Kohli, something I will tell every South African bowler who will bowl to him. Don’t say a word to him when he is batting. I repeat, don’t sledge him by saying anything to him. If you do so you are actually playing into his hands,” he further added.
“He wants the sledge if you know him. He wants the combat and loves such things. If you do so, you are actually giving in to what he wants and it will only make him that much more determined and he will make you pay. Rather, just keep silent against him. When he sees a bowler not say things, he will get bored.”
“He needs action in the middle to be at his best. When he doesn’t get it, he will find it boring and that’s when he can make a mistake. With players like him you need to be smart and not do the things that you will do with other batters. So when you bowl to him try and stay silent and make him feel bored. That’s your best chance of getting him out,” he concluded.
Indian players will participate in the Asia Cup 2023 as a preparation for the ODI World Cup 2023, which will be played at home between October and November. Virat Kohli’s form will be crucial for the hosts to end their ICC trophy drought.
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ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ICC ODI World Cup 2023 India National Cricket Team Makhaya Ntini Virat Kohli
