JOIN USVirat Kohli and David Warner wear aggression on their sleeves and are extremely emotive on the field. But then their game isn’t just about theatrics. While they are never too far away from a scrap if there is an invitation, they believe in leading from the front when it comes to their primary vocation – batting.
Kohli (919) and Warner (779), the top two run-getters, have lit up IPL-9 not just with their batting but with their leadership qualities as well. While Kohli inspired Royal Challengers Bangalore to final after being staring at elimination more than half-way through their league campaign, Warner has been in the forefront of Sunrisers Hyderbad’s stirring run to the final.
Kohli acknowledged Warner’s role in shaping Hyderabad’s fortunes.
“Actually he’s not been so expressive with his emotions on the field,” he said on Warner, who couldn’t attend the official PC after SRH flight was delayed in Delhi on Saturday. “I think it’s a great thing to see in terms of his development as a person. He has come a long way as a leader in this tournament. You can see the kind of hunger he has had throughout the tournament to get the job done for the team. It speaks volumes of the hunger and him contributing in a big way for the team.
As a captain or leader, you try to execute things what you ask from your team-mates first on the field. Yeah, we (Warner and I) do think on similar lines and it’s been wonderful to see how he has led his team,” Kohli elaborated.
Having had to manage the likes of AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, who were already established stars before he shot into prominence, Kohli understands a thing or two about carrying a team of senior superstars.
“… When there are seniors like Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh), (Ashish) Nehra and youngsters like Mustafizur (Rahman) in the squad - handling all of them at the same time (is impressive). Obviously it takes effort from the management as well but the maximum contribution, I am sure, is from his side. It’s great to see a guy who has kept his team together and deservedly made the final. We thought they are probably one of the most balanced sides even at the start of the tournament. It’s good to see that you know you will get good competition tomorrow. As a cricketer, I am privileged to know that you have a tough match ahead of you,” he remarked.