Virat Kohli hailed as the all-time best ODI cricketer by Clarke following exceptional Dubai performance: 'Clutch in crucial moments'

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke heaped praise on Virat Kohli for his exceptional performance in the highly-anticipated Champions Trophy semi-final. Kohli stepped up when India lost their openers early in the 265-run chase, showcasing his skill and composure by stabilising the innings with an impressive 84-run knock. The Indian batsman further solidified India's position with a crucial 91-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer. Kohli's strategic running between the wickets kept the Australian team on their toes, demonstrating his ability to maintain scoreboard pressure without relying solely on boundaries. Despite hitting just five boundaries during his innings, Kohli's presence in the middle ensured that the required run rate remained within reach for India, ultimately leading them to victory. Clarke highlighted Kohli's tactical brilliance and his invaluable contribution to India's success in the crucial match.

Clarke was all praise for Kohli's ability to control the chase by assessing the conditions and putting his team in a winning position once again.

"Once again, he assessed the conditions brilliantly. A class player, he knew exactly what his team needed and how to put them in a position to win the game. We saw the same in his century against Pakistan," Clarke said on JioHotstar.

Kohli hit only five boundaries in his disciplined knock as he focused more on the risk-free accumulation of runs after India slumped to 43-2 in the eighth over. He put pressure on the Australian team by manoeuvring the singles and doubles at regular intervals to keep the scoreboard ticking during the crucial juncture of the game. He was dropped by Glenn Maxwell off Connolly on 51 but Zampa denied him another ton when he clubbed a googly to Ben Dwarshuis at long-on to leave India at 225-5, however, the game was almost over by then.

“Virat Kohli has every shot in the book…”: Clarke

Clarke didn't shy away from crowning Kohli as the greatest ODI cricketer of all time for his ability to thrive under pressure on the big stage.

"Virat has every shot in the book—there's no questioning his ability to find boundaries. He is, in my opinion, the greatest one-day cricketer of all time, and he continues to prove it on the biggest stage, under the highest pressure. He knows what to do, and he delivers when it matters the most," he concluded.

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