Former Australian captain Michael Clarke expressed his playful desire for Virat Kohli to start the India-Australia 2023 World Cup match in Chennai with a duck. He humorously suggested that Kohli might score centuries in every other game but then encounter a zero against Australia in the final.
Leading up to the World Cup, India and Australia engaged in a three-match ODI series on Indian soil. Although the Men in Blue won the series 2-1, Kohli was rested for the initial two matches. He made a comeback in the final game in Rajkot, notching up a half-century, even though India ended up losing the match.
During an interview with Boria Majumdar on the show “Backstage with Boria,” Clarke discussed the threat posed by Kohli to the Australian team. He lavished praise on the former Indian captain, hailing him as a once-in-a-lifetime talent in one-day cricket and expressing confidence in his potential for an outstanding World Cup campaign.
Clarke playfully remarked, “I wouldn’t mind seeing Kohli getting a duck in the opening match and then going on to score centuries in every subsequent game, only to face another duck when he plays against Australia in the final.”
On a more serious note, Clarke couldn’t contain his admiration for Kohli, emphasizing his genius and class, asserting that he’s returned to peak form. Clarke dispelled any doubts about Kohli’s abilities, emphasizing that “class is permanent” and describing him as a player of unmatched caliber in one-day cricket. Clarke also acknowledged Kohli’s mastery of the format, particularly his skill in chasing totals, which he believes makes Kohli a strong contender for a remarkable World Cup performance.