Expect Virat Kohli to be India's standout player at the World Cup: Gary Kirsten

Virat Kohli

India’s 2011 World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has said that star batsman Virat Kohli will deliver the goods for his side at the upcoming 2015 Cricket World Cup Down Under. The 26-year-old wasn’t able to replicate his sublime form with the bat in Tests in the recent tri-series, but the 47-year-old South African is confident that Kohli will come good during the World Cup, going on to call him the best ODI player in the world today along with Hashim Amla.

"Virat is a tremendous player, it's just his ability to perform and produce results for the team and he is very good at chasing down totals. Presently Kohli and Hashim Amla are the best ODI batsmen. I believe he is going to stand tall among his peers in the World Cup too,” the former opening batsman said.

"India have a very strong batting line up but undoubtedly Kohli will be the one to stand tall among his peers," he added.

India can't be over-reliant on Kohli: Mohinder Amarnath

Mohinder Amarnath, member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, also picked out the right-hander as the key player if MS Dhoni’s men are to do well, but was quick to add that one player alone will not help India lift back-to-back titles.

"Virat is the key from India's point of view. The way he is batting, his approach, the way he understands the situation and reacts, that is the key. Definitely Kohli is the key, but that doesn't mean you are going to win the world cup depending only on him. Everybody has to contribute,” Amarnath said.

"The only duo to perform was Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. Although he (Kohli) struggled during the series in England, he was quick to adapt in Australia and performed really well,” he added.

Kohli should bat at number 3: Amarnath

When enquired as to whether Kohli should come in at No.3 or No.4, Amaranth said that the Delhi batsman should come in at the fall of the first wicket, comparing his style of play to Australian great Ricky Ponting, who batted at No.3 right through his ODI career.

"Virat should ideally come in at number three. He is similar in his style to Ricky Ponting. He is aggressive and ready to take the challenge and perform under pressure,” the 64-year-old said.