SA vs IND 2018: Makhaya Ntini Picks Virat Kohli over Steve Smith

One of the most interesting debates doing the rounds in the cricketing world these days is the debate of choosing between Indian captain Virat Kohli and Australian captain Steven Smith. However, former South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini has lent his support and vote to the Indian skipper. Both the batsmen are currently in the form of their life and have dominated bowlers all around the world.

Former South African fast bowler Ntini has never been very vocal about his views over, but this time he has backed his support towards Indian skipper Virat Kohli. Ntini who was the first black player to play for South Africa’s national side has praised Kohli for his approach towards the game and his achievements.

Virat Kohli has been one of India’s most prolific run scorer in the last five to six years and has scored runs all over the world except for one country, England. However, Kohli has been found vulnerable to conditions favouring seam and swing.

Ntini believes that the Kohli ability to handle the pressure of expectations of the entire nation is what sets him apart from the rest of the world. In an interview with CricketNext, Ntini said that being an idol of a million cricket fanatic people is what goes in his favour.

Makhaya Ntini said:

“Firstly, the fans need to let Kohli breathe. But to be honest, in a country where cricket is an obsession, Kohli shoulders the responsibility of bringing a smile to a billion faces like a true champion. At times, it almost feels like he is a run-machine and not a human. His dedication and work ethic is exemplary and the consistency with which he scores runs — the huge level of expectation notwithstanding — sets him apart from any player in the modern era. No denying that Smith is an equally brilliant batsman, but the Aussie skipper doesn’t have half the pressure from fans that Kohli has to face every time he marks his guard.” 

Known for his unorthodox bowling action, the 40-year-old Zimbabwean bowling coach said that if Bumrah gets if bowling arm closer to his ear then he would become a lethal bowler:

“To be fair, Bumrah has just started off in the longer version. But he has impressed in limited-overs cricket and if he can get his bowling arm closer to his ear, that will make him all the more dangerous with the angle he will then create. It will make even the ball that holds its line after pitching, unplayable. I am sure he has the right people guiding him and has a bright future ahead of him.” 

Commenting on the ongoing series, Ntini said:

“India might have failed to get the desired result in the Test series, but they have played an aggressive brand of cricket and that has seen the momentum shift time and again in both the Test matches – in Cape Town and Centurion. Kohli knows his game and he had the bowlers who could get him 20 wickets. The batting did disappoint and not having Ajinkya Rahane in the XI meant that the visitors missed the trick. But then, it will be a completely new chapter when the ODIs start and trust me the wounded Indians will come out all guns blazing.”

Follow more news about India’s tour of South Africa 2018 here.