Virat Kohli will probably be the leading run scorer if India go all the way: Lance Klusener

Legendary former South Africa cricketer Lance Klusener feels that Virat Kohli will be the leading run scorer in the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 which will begin on October 5, Thursday. The former India skipper has been in fine form, having scored his 47th ODI century against Pakistan in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup. He then hit a half-century against Australia in the final ODI of the three-match series at home.

Since there are speculations that the upcoming event will be Kohli's last World Cup, Klusener backed the 34-year-old batter and termed him as a quality batter. The 52-year-old believes Kohli will demonstrate remarkable skills playing in home conditions.    

“Virat Kohli, retirement? Probably not. He’s absolutely quality. He’ll be playing in his home conditions. He’ll probably be the leading run-scorer if India go all the way," Klusener was quoted as saying by CricBlog.

If there’s no spinner for Australia, no quality spinner, are you better off choosing a fast bowler: Klusener

Lance Klusener also spoke about the absence of specialised spinners from Australia's World Cup roster. Because of Ashton Agar's injury, the five-time champions are down to just one specialist left-arm spinner in Adam Zampa, along with part-time options Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head (who is currently unfit). The 52-year-old believes the Australians should play to their strengths and include an additional fast bowler rather than pairing Zampa with a spinner.

“If there’s no spinner for Australia, no quality spinner, are you better off choosing a fast bowler. They might be lacking one quality spinner but they’ve proved in South Africa they’ve got more than enough weapons in terms of slower bowling and full pace when it comes to doing what they need to do in the World Cup," he added. Klusener further discussed his thoughts on the absence of the West Indies from the premier competition.

“It’s a little bit weird not having the West Indies there. They’re going through a transition at the moment, failing to qualify in Zimbabwe. Bit of a shame, it’s always nice to have them in any World Cup," he concluded.