Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar praised Virat Kohli for his outstanding century in the important Champions Trophy match against Pakistan. Vengsarkar stated that Kohli was expected to perform well because he has a ‘big match temperament’. Kohli’s unbeaten 100 runs were crucial for India’s convincing six-wicket victory over their main rivals. This win also secured India’s place in the semifinals with one match remaining.
Vengsarkar commented on Kohli’s match-winning performance, saying that scoring a century and remaining not out till the end was very important for the team. He highlighted that such contributions are highly valuable from senior players. He also admired Kohli’s fitness and dedication to cricket, hoping for his continued success in the tournament.
Vengsarkar believes India has a strong chance to win the Champions Trophy. He noted that the team is performing exceptionally well in all matches, appearing strong with good all-rounders and excellent spinners. He acknowledged that New Zealand and Australia are also strong contenders but might face challenges adapting to conditions in Dubai, where India has been playing and has a better chance of winning.
Regarding the ongoing discussion about wicketkeepers, Vengsarkar shared his opinion on KL Rahul being chosen as India’s wicketkeeper over Rishabh Pant. He clarified that the decision involves the selection committee, not just Gautam Gambhir. Vengsarkar suggested waiting to see Rahul’s performance as wicketkeeper, acknowledging Pant’s strong performance in all formats and emphasizing the need to observe how things progress. India is set to play New Zealand in their last group match, having already qualified for the semifinals.
