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SPORTS FEBRUARY 02, 2024 | The Indian Eye 44

“It was a bit of a headache to Root for the coveted accolade.
decide who it would be. I am not The left-handed opener was the
going to say who it is, and it was a only player to cross the 1000-run mark
challenge for us to decide as to who in Test format in 2023. He ended the
it is. Kuldeep gives you a certain X year with a total of 1,210 runs to his
factor with his bowling especially if name in 13 matches. Khawaja made his
the wicket gives bounce or not, he mark in the Border Gavaskar Trophy,
still becomes a factor because he has ending the series as the top run-scor-
got superb variations and he is a very er among both teams. He amassed
mature bowler now,” Rohit said in 333 runs in four matches, which in-
the pre-match press conference on cluded a century and two fifties.
Wednesday. Khawaja failed to impress during
Rohit kept the cards close to his Australia’s World Test Champion-
chest, but he went on to drop a hint ship triumph over India but bounced
on who could be seen featuring in back in the following Ashes series.
India’s playing XI for the first Test The southpaw impressed by end-
against England. ing the series as the highest run-scor-
“He has not played much cricket er with 496 runs to his name.
in India because of Ashwin and Jade- He finished the year on a high
ja and that’s what has even happened note with three 40-plus scores against
in the past also. Lot of us got our Pakistan. Khawaja scored two mas-
chances late but that’s how it is and sive tons against South Africa (195*)
that’s the reality it is, and you can’t and India (180) but kept his best for
hide away from it. Kuldeep is a much arch-rivals England in the Ashes.
better bowler, and it’s a very tempt- After England made a surprise
ing option. Axar with his all-round declaration at 393/8 in the first in-
ability gives us the batting depth and nings of the opening Test, the Three
the consistency he has shown. We Lions managed to put pressure on
have quality around our spin bowl- Australia by claiming early wickets.
ing department and it’s a good head- He stitched up crucial partner-
ache,” Rohit added. ships with Travis Head, Cameron
Green and Alex Carey as he made
Virat Kohli named ICC Men’s his way to a well-deserved century
ODI Cricketer of the Year that helped Australia get close to En-
gland’s total.
ndia’s stalwart batter Virat Kohli Khawaja’s heroics helped Aus-
was crowned as the ICC Men’s tralia to secure victory in the first Test
IODI Cricketer of the Year for which proved to be vital as the Baggy
2023 on Thursday. He was in conten- Greens managed to retain the Ashes
tion with his compatriots Shubman series.
Gill, Mohammed Shami and New
Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell. “We really miss Virat Kohli,”
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma plays a shot during Day 1 of 1st Test match against England on says a fan
Kohli brought his best out in Thursday (ANI) head of the first Test match
the ODI World Cup amassing a between India and England at
one of which came in the semi-final heartbreak at the hands of New Zea-
record tally of 765 runs in the against New Zealand. land like they did four years back in Athe Rajiv Gandhi Internation-
al Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on
tournament, with his contribu- His ton against the Kiwis in the England. Wednesday, fans started to arrive at
semi-final took his overall ODI cen- His 117 combined with Shreyas
tions playing a major part in turies to 50, going past the previous Iyer’s 105 paved the way for India to the stadium.
While speaking to ANI before
India’s run to the final. Over- record holder (Sachin Tendulkar) for reach a mammoth total of 397/4. Mo- the game, a fan said that he would
most centuries in the 50-over format.
hammed Shami’s seven-wicket haul
all, Kohli scored 1,377 runs, In the final four stage, Kohli ensured India went unbeaten into miss the former India skipper Virat
Kohli. However, he is excited for the
claimed 1 wicket and complet- walked out to bat after skipper Ro- the finals to face Australia. skipper, Rohit Sharma.
hit Sharma’s dismissal to face a
ed 12 catches in 27 matches. star-studded Blackcaps bowling line- Khawaja beats Ashwin to “We really miss (Virat) Kohli
up. win ICC Men’s Test Cricketer because Telugu fans have a huge fan
base for Kohli. We miss him playing
Kohli found his grove immedi-
After bouncing back in 2022, of the Year in Hyderabad... But I am really ex-
Kohli peaked in the ODI World Cup ately and was flawless till he complet- cited to see Captain Rohit Sharma,”
ed his 50th ODI ton to surpass one
and surpassed the record for most of the legends of the game - Sachin. ustralia’s opening batter Us- a fan said.
runs scored by a batter in the tourna- “It’s stuff of dreams, Anushka man Khawaja on Thursday Meanwhile, another fan hoped
ment which was held by batting mae- was sitting right there, Sachin paaji Awas named as the ICC Men’s that the hosts would clinch a win
stro Sachin Tendulkar. was there in the stands,” Kohli said Test Cricketer of the Year for 2023. against England in the first Test
The experienced right-handed Khawaja managed to beat out the match.
batter finished the tournament with later while being interviewed during tough competition from his compa- “India will win. Definitely, India
the innings break.
an average of 95.62 and a strike rate Kohli’s picture-perfect knock triot Travis Head, India spinner Rav- will win the match,” another fan told
of 90.31, scoring three centuries, ichandran Ashwin and England’s Joe ANI.
ensured India didn’t suffer another

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