'Bhai panauti mat laga yaar' - Fans react as Virat Kohli talks about 'hype' around Rohit Sharma during his initial phase ahead of WTC 2023 final

The much-awaited World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final is about to start as India and Australia are set to clash against each other at The Oval which will start on June 7. Considering the conditions at the venue, it is safe to say that the Australian team are favourite to take home the coveted mace. However, India have performed very well in overseas conditions over the past few years, especially against Australia.

Meanwhile, former India captain Virat Kohli recently talked about Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and heaped praise on him for transforming his gameplay brilliantly in red-ball cricket. Interestingly, the last time when Rohit played at The Oval, he smashed a brilliant century against England.

“Rohit always had more time than anyone, when I saw Rohit Sharma batting for the very first time, I understood what the hype was all about and why he was rated so highly. What Rohit has done in White ball cricket for a long period, everyone knew his talent but the way he performed in tests in the last few years showed his belief that he can do it in tests at the highest level, he has done really in England conditions," Kohli was quoted as saying by News18.

Rohit can repeat the performance that he did in the Oval last time: Virat Kohli

Kohli continued to praise Rohit and said that the opener has always been talented and his success in red-ball cricket is evidence of his temperament. He also mentioned how he enjoys watching Rohit play from the non-striker end and hopes to see the same performance from Rohit as he did last time at The Oval.

“The way he performed in tests in the last few years has shown the testimony of his temperament and opening the innings is a tough job and he did a great job, he has performed well in all formats, enjoy watching him, especially from the other end and hopefully he can repeat his performance what he did in Oval in last time," he said.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Ab 100% jaldi out ho jayega 😭

— Hanoor Singh (@problogger10) June 7, 2023

#RohitSharma𓃵 is great always when he is in good form

— Jaikumar S (@Jaiharshan) June 7, 2023

he is saying all this so that rohit doesn't drop him from the team

— Dr. Strange 73♌ (@drstrange705) June 7, 2023

Rohit is Talent.

Virat is Hardwork.

— Muthu (@muthu629) June 7, 2023

lovely to see both praising each other talent. Fans should also try to stay united when both play for India rather than wishing for ducks or low scores for other one.🙂🙂

— lazy_lad (@lazy_lad2) June 7, 2023

Both legends encouraged each other.. 😁

— kavan vaghela (@kavanvaghela2) June 7, 2023

It's shows the humbleness of king

He says everyone is better than him

Though kohli knows very well no one comes close to his skills and temperament

— Sumanta Mandal (@hello_twittterr) June 7, 2023

But why he is choking in crucial matches.

— Ash Ketchum (@ImKuljeetSingh) June 7, 2023

No offence but that was past. Considering the current form, Rohit Sharma doesn’t qualify to play this test (as a batsman). He looks so tired. Needs rest for couple of months.

— MSD (@kya_ukhaad_lega) June 7, 2023