Hadlee: Without India, the face of world cricket would be different

ICC World Test Championship final round the corner, former New Zealand great Sir Richard Hadlee explained by cricket needs India. Hadlee said that India generates massive revenue for cricket and reckons the game would be different without India. Hadlee cited the example of the Australia tour when India after being shot out for 36 came back strong to win the series.

Without India, the face of world cricket would be different –

“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 blips. 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 told The Tomes of India.

Kohli as a ‘passionate’ and ‘competitive’ cricketer, Hadlee said the Indian captain is a delight to watch.

Virat: Passionate and Competitive –

“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 idolize him, which puts extreme pressure on him,” Hadlee added.

All sports at the highest level are about competing. It is finding a way to win a game and gain an advantage over one’s opponent. There will always be a fine line as to whether gamesmanship from a player or a team goes too far. I quite like seeing any player expressing himself towards the opposition by having a real presence – it is a form of intimidation that can be unsettling. I see Virat as being a very passionate and competitive cricketer with a strong desire for himself and the team to succeed.

• Read more: Jurgensen told: The team to be careful from the Rishabh Pant

Kohli and Co would be leaving for the United Kingdom on June 2 for the WTC final which would be followed by a five-match Test series against England.