KOLKATA: Australian pace legend Mitchell Johnson said it was good for the Indian team to have star hitter Virat Kohli back among the runs.
“It’s good for India that their best player can run errands and keep the team confident. It was this player who changed the direction of the team when he took over as captain. The team will be happy for him to score runs,” Johnson told ANI on Saturday.
Kohli showed big glimpses of himself in the recently concluded 2022 Asian Cup, in which he also achieved his long-awaited 71st international century.
He hit 276 carries in the tournament at an average of 92.00. A well done century and two fifty came out of Kohli’s willow, his best score being 122* against Afghanistan. Kohli finished second in run-geters at the tournament behind Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan (281).
Talking about India’s chances at the ICC T20 World Cup Coming next month after a below-average Asian Cup that saw them finish third in the Super Four stage, Johnson said anything can happen at a World Cup event.
“When it comes to the World Cup, you just enjoy the moment. You have to focus, these are all great games. Indians are used to playing big games because of the IPL, playing in front of big crowds with a lot of pressure. I think all of that (the Asian Cup performance) will be behind them,” he added.
The 2022 ICC T20 World Cup will start on October 16 and run until November 13.
On Australia’s next series with India from October 20, Johnson said: “They have to look to win the series in difficult conditions, it will give them confidence ahead of the World Cup. They should have a team strong and a stable team forward It will be a great series.”
The series, consisting of three T20Is, will begin on October 20 and run until October 25.
Johnson said it was nice to be back in India and playing League of Legends Cricket.
“It’s my first time playing here. I spoke to Brett Lee about his experience last season. He said he enjoyed it. There was something that made me nervous, playing the cricket with past injuries, being a bit older. But I’m looking forward to playing with the old players who have played with me and against me and making us happy,” he added.
The fast bowler remarked that Eden Gardens is one of his favorite cricket grounds.
“I remember playing an ODI series. I released Gautam Gambhir. The crowd went quiet. There were about 90,000 people. I always had great experiences in Kolkata. The crowds always been loud and supportive. They like to watch good cricket,” he said. added.
Tanmay Srivastava’s crushing 54-point hit followed by Yusuf Pathan’s undefeated 50 Maharajas of India to a comfortable six-wicket win over World Giants in a special Legends League Cricket 2022 exhibition match here at Eden Gardens on Friday.
The inaugural match between India Maharajas and World Giants celebrated the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. While India Maharajas included ex-Indian players, World Giants consisted of ex-foreign players.
Virender Sehwag’s Gujarat Giants and Gautam Gambhir’s India Capitals will lock horns in the league opener in Kolkata on September 17. Manipal Tigers and Bhilwara Kings will also be in the four-team league, led by Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan respectively.
Johnson is among the Indian capitals.
Apart from Kolkata, Lucknow, New Delhi, Cuttack and Jodhpur are the other venues for the next edition of Legends League Cricket, which will run until October 8.
“It’s good for India that their best player can run errands and keep the team confident. It was this player who changed the direction of the team when he took over as captain. The team will be happy for him to score runs,” Johnson told ANI on Saturday.
Kohli showed big glimpses of himself in the recently concluded 2022 Asian Cup, in which he also achieved his long-awaited 71st international century.
He hit 276 carries in the tournament at an average of 92.00. A well done century and two fifty came out of Kohli’s willow, his best score being 122* against Afghanistan. Kohli finished second in run-geters at the tournament behind Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan (281).
Talking about India’s chances at the ICC T20 World Cup Coming next month after a below-average Asian Cup that saw them finish third in the Super Four stage, Johnson said anything can happen at a World Cup event.
“When it comes to the World Cup, you just enjoy the moment. You have to focus, these are all great games. Indians are used to playing big games because of the IPL, playing in front of big crowds with a lot of pressure. I think all of that (the Asian Cup performance) will be behind them,” he added.
The 2022 ICC T20 World Cup will start on October 16 and run until November 13.
On Australia’s next series with India from October 20, Johnson said: “They have to look to win the series in difficult conditions, it will give them confidence ahead of the World Cup. They should have a team strong and a stable team forward It will be a great series.”
The series, consisting of three T20Is, will begin on October 20 and run until October 25.
Johnson said it was nice to be back in India and playing League of Legends Cricket.
“It’s my first time playing here. I spoke to Brett Lee about his experience last season. He said he enjoyed it. There was something that made me nervous, playing the cricket with past injuries, being a bit older. But I’m looking forward to playing with the old players who have played with me and against me and making us happy,” he added.
The fast bowler remarked that Eden Gardens is one of his favorite cricket grounds.
“I remember playing an ODI series. I released Gautam Gambhir. The crowd went quiet. There were about 90,000 people. I always had great experiences in Kolkata. The crowds always been loud and supportive. They like to watch good cricket,” he said. added.
Tanmay Srivastava’s crushing 54-point hit followed by Yusuf Pathan’s undefeated 50 Maharajas of India to a comfortable six-wicket win over World Giants in a special Legends League Cricket 2022 exhibition match here at Eden Gardens on Friday.
The inaugural match between India Maharajas and World Giants celebrated the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. While India Maharajas included ex-Indian players, World Giants consisted of ex-foreign players.
Virender Sehwag’s Gujarat Giants and Gautam Gambhir’s India Capitals will lock horns in the league opener in Kolkata on September 17. Manipal Tigers and Bhilwara Kings will also be in the four-team league, led by Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan respectively.
Johnson is among the Indian capitals.
Apart from Kolkata, Lucknow, New Delhi, Cuttack and Jodhpur are the other venues for the next edition of Legends League Cricket, which will run until October 8.