Virat Kohli’s absence won’t affect India’s chances much: Sarfraz Ahmed

Captain Virat Kohli is undoubtedly the fulcrum of Team India. It was evident in the just concluded tour of England where the captain amassed 593 in five Test matches where other players couldn’t even go close to the skipper. But when it comes to limited overs cricket, there are others who can steady the ship even if Kohli falls cheaply.

In that sense Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed is right in saying that India are a good side even sans Kohli. “No doubt he (Kohli) is their captain and a world-class batsman but I think they (India) have a good team even without Kohli,” Sarfraz told the reporters on Monday in Dubai, just on the eve of the high-octane India-Pakistan clash.

According to Ahmed, there won’t be much of a difference while Rohit Sharma leads the pack in Kohli’s absence. “They have good players who have done well for India. So I don’t think it will make much difference to India. Their batting is very strong so I can say that it will be a good match,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed, who led Pakistan to Champions Trophy triumph, though doesn’t think that Champions Trophy win against India would have much bearing on this clash. “We will not take that Champions Trophy win in our minds…That was a different atmosphere (in London) and conditions. It was a year ago so that’s history so we will enter the ground with a new strategy and passion,” the Pakistan skipper said.

Even former India captain Sourav Ganguly agreed with the Pakistan skipper. “It will be a 50-50 contest between India and Pakistan. Virat Kohli’s absence won’t be a factor, they are a better side,” Ganguly said on the side lines of a promotional event.

Also read: Virat Kohli has a lot to learn as captain, reckons Sunil Gavaskar