Pakistan vs Australia 2018: Have Used Virat Kohli as Example For My Players - Mickey Arthur

Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur wants his team to inhibit the strength of Indian skipper Virat Kohli. Mickey Arthur is hoping that Pakistan will replicate the success of 2014 when they clean swept Australia 2-0. Mickey Arthur wants his team members to inherit the qualities of Virat Kohli.

Arthur is all impressed by the hunger of the Indian skipper and the qualities he brings to the table with his fitness. Kohli has grown in stature in the last five years and he has been in tremendous form with the bat. Furthermore, he has also the team with aplomb. Thus, Virat Kohli is ticking all the right boxes.

Virat Kohli is ticking the right boxes.

“Virat has grown even more. In fact, he’s an unbelievable cricketer,” Arthur said. “Virat’s hunger and desire to be the best sets him apart from the rest. Everything Virat does is almost fanatical. The way he lives his life, trains and plays his cricket. For Virat, it’s about becoming the best he can be. I have used Virat as an example for my players. The way he changed his lifestyle, the accent on fitness. I have enjoyed watching Virat grow as a cricketer,” Mickey Arthur said while talking to the Telegraph.

Moreover, Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith are considered the best batsmen in recent times. During the five-match Test series in England, Virat Kohli dominated with his bat scoring 593 runs. Kohli is leading the Test run-charts in 2018 so far with 1018 from 17 innings averaging 59.88 including four hundred and four half-centuries.

“Virat’s the best in the world. Purely as somebody passionate about cricket, he’s one of three batsmen I’d pay a lot of money to watch – AB de Villiers and David Warner being the other two. AB has retired completely from international cricket and Warner is currently ineligible to play for Australia. So, Virat’s the only one playing international cricket and that too all three formats… Kane Williamson, I should add, is in the same league,” Mickey Arthur said.

However, Mickey Arthur was dubious about the leadership quality of Virat Kohli. He also said that Kohli could do well by keeping a check on his aggression.

“Going by some of Virat’s reactions on the field, I think he needs to tone down a bit. I’m sure Virat will work that out and (head coach) Ravi Shastri should help him channel things in the right direction… As I told you in London during the Champions Trophy, Virat has brought about a cut-throat attitude which looks good from the outside. He’s also brought real energy to the India team,” he said.

Virat Kohli has done a fine job for the Indian team. He has been an inspiration for all the players around the globe and his records speak for himself.