India captain Virat Kohli should not be bothered by “two or three” Australian journalists who are trying to “tarnish his image”, former Australia skipper Michael Clarke said. Clarke’s comments came after Australia’s Daily Telegraph in a report had compared Kohli with controversial US president Donald Trump.
“Just like President Trump, Kohli decided to blame the media as a means of trying to hide the egg smeared right across his face,” the report said, responding to the India captain’s allegations about Australian players disrespecting the home team’s physiotherapist, Patrick Farhart.
“Comparing Virat Kohli with Donald Trump – what a load of s*** is that,” Clarke told India Today, as reported by PTI. “What Virat did, even [Australia captain Steven] Smith would have. Bear in mind, I love Kohli and the Australian public love him. I always somehow find an Australian in him the way he plays and I absolutely love how he accepts challenges. It’s just two or three reporters who are trying to tarnish him but Virat shouldn’t be bothered.”
Clarke said even Smith won’t be bothered by what Australian media is writing. “In fact, both the captains would be telling their teams to concentrate on how to win in Dharamshala,” he said. “It is more like the Ashes 2005 we played, where every Test was life and death, and the players gave it all on the field. But off the field, both teams remained friends. It is only befitting of the way this series has been played that it will be decided in the last Test.”
Clarke also did not make much of Kohli’s poor form in this series, in which he has scored 46 runs in five innings. “Virat is tough and if you’re number one, then you have got to be tough,” he said. “That’s how champions play. He may come up with a big century and win India the series in Dharamsala. Expectations from him are so high that every time he steps out to bat, people want him to score centuries.”
The toss will be a deciding factor again, Clarke said, adding that India would be in trouble if there is any moisture left on the strip. “India will be silly to leave any moisture on the Dharamshala pitch,” he said. “The pitch will be more like Ranchi or other venues in this series, but I have a feeling the captain winning the toss should win the Test. Bowlers from both the teams are so fatigued, both teams would want to bat first and allow their bowlers a bit of rest. Bat first and get 400-450 on the board.”