Stuart Binny Praises Virat Kohli's Greatness Beyond Centuries
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Synopsis
Stuart Binny praised Virat Kohli for his consistent performance, highlighting his ability to lead the team even without frequent centuries. Kohli's recent century against Pakistan during the Champions Trophy showcased his skill, reaffirming his status as a great player.
Key Takeaways
- Stuart Binny acknowledges Virat Kohli's unwavering talent.
- Kohli's century against Pakistan was pivotal for India's victory.
- Team dynamics and friendships remain crucial post-retirement.
- Fitness challenges persist for retired players during tournaments.
- India Masters achieved a thrilling win against Sri Lanka.
Mumbai, Feb 24 (NationPress) Former Indian all-rounder Stuart Binny showered accolades on star batsman Virat Kohli, who delivered an unbeaten century against Pakistan, leading the team to a six-wicket victory in the Champions Trophy on Sunday. Binny emphasized that Kohli has consistently been a great player regardless of whether he scores big hundreds.
Kohli, who faced criticism for his lackluster performance in Test cricket, showcased his skills on a grand stage and became the focal point for the Men in Blue during the much-anticipated match in Dubai.
“I believe that whenever Virat Kohli scores runs, he garners praise from everyone. However, he has always been a great player, irrespective of securing those big hundreds. He’s a true team player and has continually driven India forward. I take great pleasure in watching him, both during my playing days and now on television. Winning against Pakistan, particularly in an ICC event, is always special,” Binny remarked to reporters on the sidelines of the International Masters League.
“That said, he still has another game ahead. Predictions suggest it will be challenging. The conditions will be decisive. But as you mentioned, we have Kohli, Jadeja, and Axar, so I believe our bowling is well-suited for those conditions, along with top-class batting,” he added.
Reflecting on playing alongside cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, Binny stated that while friendships matter, representing the country remains his top priority.
“That’s the most important aspect. Our friendships have endured, and we’ve all stayed connected post-cricket. Each of us has had different paths to navigate in life. Yet, returning to play for your country has always been paramount for us. Few get the opportunity to do so after retirement, but here we are, representing our country again and rekindling our friendships,” he continued.
“It’s incredibly special to reunite with Sachin Sir and Yuvraj Paji. However, for me, the highlight is playing again with my two Karnataka teammates, Vinay Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun. We played together for over a decade for Karnataka and achieved a lot, so it’s wonderful to be part of the Indian Masters with them,” he said.
The India Masters triumphed over Sri Lanka by four runs in an exhilarating match, kicking off their campaign in style at the DY Patil Stadium on Saturday.
Looking ahead to their match against England Masters on Tuesday, Binny noted, “We had a couple of days off. Yesterday was dedicated to rest, with players recovering and engaging in light stretching by the pool. Today, we practiced hard as a team, focusing on taking one game at a time.”
Binny recognized that maintaining fitness poses the biggest challenge for them during the tournament.
“That’s the toughest part. After retirement, you tend not to train or work out as diligently as when you were actively playing for India or in domestic cricket. However, the desire to play cricket comes from within. All of us have diligently worked on our fitness over the past six months. Some players participate in over ten tournaments each year to stay active. As I mentioned, if you wish to play cricket, you need to stay fit. So, there are no excuses,” Binny concluded.
