Virat Kohli is simply focusing on cricket ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 semi-final clash instead of any controversies around it. Kohli has hinted that he will go with the winning combination against Bangladesh on June 15. He also ruled out the possibility of Ashwin being replaced in the side. The Indian skipper also announced that everyone in the team is fit. Even Rohit Sharma is fit to go as there were questions over his fitness after he was seen limping against South Africa on June 11.
Kohli seemed determined and at the same time not willing to get him and the team under pressure, he said, “We have been in these kinds of games before quite a few times. But there are no guarantees in this sport. As you have seen in the league stages of the game, a lot of teams have surprised their opposition and we are certainly not taking anything granted. We will use whatever momentum we have gained in this tournament to execute what he want to. We are not gonna go according to past results in the past tournaments,”
Whether Umesh Yadav will replace Ashwin keeping in mind his performance against Bangladesh in the warm-up games. Kohli replied, “No, we have given people chances in the practice games and everyone bowled well in that game. It does not mean that you’ll play someone as they have done played particularly well against an opposition in the practice game. I think Ashwin was brilliant in the last game and I don’t see any good reason to change that. I certainly don’t think that there is no need to change anything,”
Kohli praised Yuvraj Singh as well who will be playing his 300th ODI in the semi-finals against Bangladesh. He congratulated Yuvraj and wished him well for the game. He also cleared the air over the fitness of players and said that everyone’s fit.
LIVE: Virat Kohli addresses the media at Birmingham ahead of the semi-final match against Bangladesh https://t.co/v0YkEv2gPC
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 14, 2017
He also commented on Bangladesh’s recent form, he said, “They have really improved their cricket and it’s credit to their setup and players they have now who are taking more responsibility. They are a very dangerous side on their day and everyone realises that. Bangladesh have taken huge strides. They themselves say that in the last couple of years. Even in the World Cup 2015, they did really good.
Ashwin was brilliant in the last game, I don’t see any good reason to change that. Team played really well: Virat Kohli in Birmingham pic.twitter.com/e4s7Pjpjwt
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 14, 2017
Rohit Sharma is fit, fine to play: Virat Kohli on question of any injury to Sharma pic.twitter.com/hYcGwrw2t5
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 14, 2017
Bangladesh has cricketers who are skilled, and keen to win a lot of games at this level. They are a competitive side: Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/RcKgWeUu4f
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 14, 2017
Kohli also rubbished the speculations of the India vs Bangladesh game being a ‘grudge’ match keeping in mind the rivalry between the teams in World Cup 2017 quarter-final which involved too many controversies. Kohli replied, “It has been 24 months. I seriously don’t think that anyone is thinking about that game. We have had so many matches against each other since then and we are certainly not going to prove a point to anyone. We just want to play good cricket as a side.”
