Virat Kohli’s match-winning knock in the crunch World T20 game against Australia has convinced former India captain Sourav Ganguly that he is the best in the world when it comes to chasing targets, even better than the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
Following Kohli’s unbeaten 82 off 51 balls that took India into the semi-finals of the World T20, Ganguly said: “Kohli is the greatest chaser by far and I am saying this keeping in mind the great man Sachin Tendulkar.
“Sachin was special but as far as chasing is concerned, Kohli has done better than him. Kohli is unreal,” the ex-India captain was quoted as saying by India Today.
India had fallen well behind during their run-chase against the Aussies in Mohali but Ganguly had full faith in the team’s ability to chase down the target successfully, even when the required rate had ballooned to 12 runs an over.
“Two outstanding players (Kohli and MS Dhoni) were at the wicket. It was still a good pitch to bat on. I always thought India would win as long as these two boys were at the crease,” Ganguly added.
“Australia had to get one of these two boys out, preferably Kohli. When they were not able to get Kohli out, I knew India would win.”
The 2003 World Cup finalist also believes Kohli, who is averaging 92.00 for the tournament, is getting better by the day which was evident in the way he pushed the scoring rate during his innings against Australia after struggling early on.
“He knew that he could accelerate at any stage and take the game away. I get the feeling that the team management feels he is India’s go-to man. They don’t put any pressure on him even if he scores slowly,” he added.
India now take on a spirited West Indies side in the second semi-final at the Wankhede in Mumbai.
And Ganguly believes the hosts will be the favourites against the West Indies on a true batting surface.
“India will play in Mumbai which is a good surface. West Indies will have to stand up against the Indian batting onslaught. India are by far the favourites against the West Indies. They have set it up for the Eden Gardens,” Ganguly said.
The winners of the semi-finals will travel to Kolkata for the final which will be played on April 3.