The World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 Final between India and Australia is all set to begin on June 7 and will be played at The Oval in London. This is one of the most prestigious events in the world of cricket. The championship is an open opportunity for the top test-playing nations to clinch the Test mace.
Meanwhile, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has heaped praises on Virat Kohli for his fitness and work ethics, ahead of the summit clash for the coverted trophy. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has blurred the lines between opposition and team-mates and so it comes as no surprise when Australia pacer Hazlewood speaked highly of Indian star Kohli.
Hazlewood has spent the past two years with Kohli by his side at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, and the experienced Australia quick has seen up close just why the India great continues to be rated as one of the best batters in world cricket.
“I think it’s probably how hard he works that stands out. His fitness first of all and then his skill work and batting and fielding in particular. He is always out there (training) first and leaves last and the intensity he trains at all the time is at such a high level it drags everyone else along for the ride. That can leak on to the other players and improve them as well.” Hazlewood was quoted as saying to the ICC.
Kohli was in excellent form for RCB in IPL 2023, amassing 639 runs in 14 games at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82. He also secured the fourth position on the prestigious Orange Cap list. Notably, Kohli concluded the season with back-to-back centuries against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Gujarat Titans (GT), signalling his formidable prowess and providing an encouraging indication for the Indian team.
As the two cricketers prepare to clash in the highly anticipated WTC final, their past encounters and Kohli’s impressive IPL performances have added an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the forthcoming showdown. They’ve had their clashes over the years, with Hazlewood dismissing Kohli three times; although the former India skipper scored 160 runs against the Aussie pacer.
