'He's got two ducks': Former Australia captain predicts Virat Kohli's performance in Sydney ODI

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke backed Virat Kohli to be the leading run-scorer and Josh Hazlewood to take the most wickets in the final ODI against India. Clarke also predicted an Indian victory, hoping for a morale-boosting win for the hosts ahead of the T20I series.

Virat Kohli (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has tipped Virat Kohli to emerge as the leading run-scorer and Josh Hazlewood to claim the most wickets in the final ODI of the ongoing series between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Clarke shared his insights on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast on Friday, despite Kohli’s poor form in the series with two consecutive ducks.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! “I’m going to say they'll stick with Starc and Hazlewood, and I’ll go with Joshy for leading wicket-taker in the game. I've gone with Virat so far; he’s got two ducks. I’m going to go with Virat Kohli for leading run-scorer in this game. Hazlewood leading wickets, and Virat leading run-scorer,” Clarke said, backing the former India captain to bounce back in the final clash.

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Clarke also predicted an exciting contest, expressing hope that India would secure a morale-boosting win ahead of the T20I series. “And I’m going to say India win, so 2-1, India win. I predicted 2-1 Australia, so I don’t mind if India win this game, one of my predictions, right? But yeah, look, I just hope it’s a really good game of one-day cricket. India won’t want to go home without a win, and like I say, you’re leading into the T20s as well, so a lot of the players will go into that format wanting to take some confidence. I’m hoping it’s a good game,” he added.

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Australia have already clinched the ODI series 2-0, winning the opening two games. Mitchell Starc ’s presence in the playing XI is almost certain alongside Hazlewood, as Clarke highlighted, with the latter tipped to be Australia’s key threat with the ball. The third ODI thus presents an opportunity for India to end the series on a high note and give Kohli a chance to regain form, while Australia will look to finish their campaign strongly. With the series result already decided, the final match could offer glimpses of strategy, confidence, and momentum ahead of the upcoming T20Is, making it an exciting contest.

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