Virat Kohli’s presence is going to be absolutely huge for India during World Cup 2023: Monty Panesar

Former England spinner Monty Panesar reckons Virat Kohli’s presence will be huge for India in the ongoing World Cup 2023. Kohli has been a massive player for Team India across all formats in the last decade and will once again hold the key for the national team.

Meanwhile, Kohli recently scored a magnificent knock of 122 runs against Pakistan in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup and then scored a half-century against Australia in the third ODI. Ergo, Kohli will look to continue the good show in the ongoing World Cup.

Kohli has scored 47 ODI centuries in his glorious career and also completed 13000 ODI runs in the recently concluded Asia Cup, which India won for the eighth time. The talisman has scored 13083 runs in 281 ODI matches at an average of 57.38. In the ongoing year, Kohli has scored 612 runs in 16 matches at an average of 55.63.

The veteran had scored 443 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 55.38 in the 2019 World Cup.

“His presence is going to be absolutely huge for this Indian team. Virat Kohli will be setting the trend when it comes to batting — the intensity, running. He senses a moment on the field. He grabs the whole team and tells -– this is the winning moment, and let’s grab it,” said Panesar while speaking to PTI.

The former left-arm orthodox spinner wants Kohli to peak at the right time in the ongoing World Cup. Kohli scored a magnum opus knock of 82 runs in the group stage match of the 2022 T20 World Cup against Pakistan.

“I like to see Kohli peaks at the right time. He peaked too early in last year’s T20 World Cup. I think he peaked too early during the group stages. He played an innings that was worthy of a final against Pakistan (in the group match). This time I hope he saves it for the final or for the semifinal,” said Panesar.

Kohli will look to make the most of his experience and deliver on the top stage.