The pressure and expectations on Virat Kohli to win is enormous – Sir Richard Hadlee

Former New Zealand great Sir Richard Hadlee has heaped praise on Indian skipper Virat Kohli. Hadlee stated that the pressure and expectations on Virat Kohli to win is enormous as cricket is followed passionately by a billion people in India.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has always handled the pressure with great success and he has been a consistent performer for the team in the last decade. Kohli has delivered the goods in all the conditions and against top teams in the world.

Kohli is known for his passion and competitiveness on the field. The Indian skipper gives his 120% on the field and there is no scope of complacency in his efforts. Kohli likes to express himself on the field and he is known to give his best on the field.

“I see Virat as being a very passionate and competitive cricketer with a strong desire for himself and the team to succeed. He is a proud man and a world-class player – a delight to watch. The pressure and expectation on him to ‘win’ is enormous. Millions idolise him, which puts extreme pressure on him,” Hadlee said while talking to Times of India.

On the other hand, Hadlee feels India is crucial for cricket as the BCCI generates the maximum revenue in the sport. Furthermore, Hadlee lauded India for giving preference to Test cricket. India made a resounding comeback against Australia after they were skittled out for a paltry score of 36 runs in the pink-ball Test match at Adelaide.

“There is no doubt India produces a lot of revenue to cricket. Without India, the face of world cricket would be different, therefore cricket needs India. But India has also made an outstanding contribution to Test cricket – like in all formats. Their Test performances in Australia were outstanding despite that 36 all out blip. They bounced back superbly and Test cricket came alive again. Their performances in Australia were a remarkable achievement especially with so many youngsters having to come in the team and perform,” Hadlee added.

Meanwhile, India has been a top Test team in the last five years and the results have been palpable. A lot of credit goes to skipper Virat Kohli and the team has also developed a potent pace battery, which has been instrumental in the success of the team in all the conditions.