Glenn McGrath Lauds Virat Kohli's Form and Highlights Prasidh Krishna's Potential
McGrath's Praise for Kohli and Krishna
Glenn McGrath, the former Australian fast bowler renowned for his exceptional career, has expressed admiration for Indian cricket star Virat Kohli. He emphasized Kohli's remarkable performance in white-ball cricket, particularly noting his unbeaten 69 runs for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which played a crucial role in their successful chase of 201 runs in just 15.4 overs. While Kohli's prowess is well-known, McGrath's comments regarding Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna have sparked interest, especially among fans who have criticized Krishna for his inconsistent performances.
Krishna has been a puzzling figure in both the IPL and international cricket, showcasing brilliance at times but also struggling at others, leading to debates about his position in the team. McGrath, however, labeled Krishna as an exceptional talent, potentially quelling doubts about his capabilities.
Kohli's Remarkable Consistency
“Virat Kohli may seem to be aging, but his recent form in white-ball cricket has been nothing short of phenomenal. Scoring 69 not out and leading RCB to victory while chasing 201 is impressive,” McGrath shared on “The Fast Bowling Cartel” podcast. The IPL has already delivered thrilling matches, highlighting the significance of winning the toss, as teams that have opted to chase have won five out of six matches this season, with the only exception being Sunrisers Hyderabad's victory after batting first against Kolkata Knight Riders.
“It's been an interesting start to the IPL. I've noticed that every team that has won the toss has chosen to field first. In the early seasons of the IPL, a score of 165-170 was considered defendable, but now with scores reaching 220, teams are left wondering if they have enough runs,” McGrath noted.
Regarding Krishna, McGrath mentioned his time spent with the pacer at the MRF Pace Foundation and expressed surprise that Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill introduced him as the fifth bowler only after 12 overs against Punjab Kings. McGrath described Krishna as 'exceptional' and highlighted his significant improvement since their first meeting.
Krishna's Promising Future
“I have a lot of faith in Prasidh Krishna. We witnessed some of his talent during the last Test in Australia. I’ve worked with him at the MRF Pace Foundation, where he has shown tremendous growth. He bowled 3/29, but I felt they could have utilized him earlier in the match,” McGrath explained. “Since his time at the MRF Pace Foundation, he has developed significantly. He has become stronger and bowls at a good pace, often opting for a shorter length that is effective in the IPL. Krishna is indeed a bowler to watch,” he concluded.