Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has come out in support of Virat Kohli, saying the Indian skipper is a fine leader.
Kohli is yet to fire in the ongoing series against Australia and Gilchrist feels that the Indian skipper is due for big runs in the fourth and final Test in Dharamsala, which begins on Saturday. “Kohli is a great leader. He drags his team and his nation with him,” Gilchirst said, “I am fearful Virat Kohli is due for a lot of runs (in Dharamsala).”
Gilchrist also urged both the teams to put an end to the ‘cheatgate’ controversy before it turns into the infamous 2008 ‘Monkeygate’ episode.
“It has been an exceptional series. (But) both the teams may sit back in the end and think they may have said something differently. But we can all move on and I’m glad that it has not escalated to the really nasty scenario in 2008 that dragged on and on,” he said.
Gilchrist said that the India-Australia cricket rivalry was always incomplete without controversy. “Everyone was frustrated and that is a part of history between the two teams,” the legendary wicket-keeper batsman said. “At the end of the day there is a lot of respect between the two teams because they fear each other as opponents. Both the teams are fine competitors.”
Gilchrist added that he surprised by the performance put up by the Australians in the four-match series.
“I think it’s fair to say that everyone is surprised the way Australian team has performed over there (in India). So many predictions but they have done themselves proud. Australia has performed extremely well. It has been a wonderful series. So many people are saying to me it is the best series they have seen in India since 2001. That (2001) series was extraordinary and India came out on top but who knows what lays ahead,” he said.