Virat Kohli, riding high on his recent century against Pakistan, is set to play his 300th match when India faces New Zealand in a Champions Trophy fixture in Dubai this Sunday.
Michael Bracewell, the New Zealand all-rounder, described Kohli’s 300th game as a truly massive accomplishment. He emphasized that reaching 300 games in any format is incredibly impressive, especially in just one format, highlighting Kohli’s career dedication.
Bracewell, who shared the field with Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2023 IPL season, has witnessed Kohli’s preparation firsthand. He noted Kohli’s impressive approach to each match and acknowledged him as one of many top-tier players in the Indian squad. Bracewell anticipates a challenging contest against a team with experienced players, but expresses New Zealand’s excitement for the challenge.
Bracewell further acknowledged India’s overall strength, with Kohli as a standout player known for his numerous one-day centuries. He reiterated the excitement to compete against India, recognizing the high-quality players on both sides and hoping for a thrilling match.
Despite New Zealand’s historical edge over India in ICC tournaments and a close head-to-head record in ODIs, Bracewell stated that the team isn’t focusing on past records to add pressure.
He explained that New Zealand prefers to avoid unnecessary pressure. Building on the confidence from a previous Test series victory against India, and aware of their positive record in ICC events against them, the team aims to approach the game one step at a time, avoiding being overwhelmed by the moment. This approach has proven successful for them in the past.
Bracewell concluded by stating their intention to maintain their established style of play, focusing on understanding the conditions and applying pressure strategically. He emphasized that this consistent approach has been their strategy for years and they will continue to implement it.
Addressing recent discussions about India’s perceived advantage due to familiar grounds and conditions, Bracewell dismissed the notion. He stated that such factors are predetermined and not worth dwelling on. He personally finds excitement in adapting to different grounds and conditions, seeing it as a part of the game’s challenge and learning process.
