SPORTS Sunday, June 18, 2017 23 Kohli calm ahead of final London Kohli’s own performances at the at the Oval yesterday. “But I “The more relaxed you stay in ndia captain Virat Champions Trophy have seen him understand as a player and as a these situations it’s a good thing, Kohli said staying return to the top of the one-day person that it’s not possible.” because it helps you take better “closeI to reality” was the international batting rankings. He added: “You have to be close decisions when you are composed best way to carry the hopes His four innings, including to reality. and calm mentally.” of a cricket-crazy nation three not outs, have left him with a “This (pressure) is a part of being Kohli’s cool temperament has heading into a Champions colossal tournament batting average an Indian cricketer, you have to often been seen to good effect Trophy final against arch- of 253 heading into the final. find a way to deal with it. You can’t in many a run chase, a quality rivals Pakistan. This week also saw the 28-year- ignore it. which could yet prove useful Today’s showpiece old Kohli become the fastest man to “You have to maintain a balance on Sunday. match at the Oval in score 8,000 ODI runs, reaching the and then focus on what you need to “If you are thinking ‘we London is a 24,500 sell-out, landmark in 175 innings -- seven do on the field. are three down and I might with millions more around fewer than South Africa star AB de “I think I’ve been able to strike get out’, then you will get the world expected to watch Villiers’s 182. a good balance until now and I’m out,” he said. (AFP) the high-profile match. Kohli already has 27 ODI sure I’ll be fine tomorrow.” Reigning champions centuries to his name, with a career Meanwhile Kohli said it was India are the favourites, strike-rate in excess of 91, and such important for players to ration their having launched has been the passionate drive with use of sites such as Twitter. their title-defence which he has led India that his “The biggest thing is to stay off with a 124-run fortunes and those of the team as a social media,” he said. thrashing of Pakistan whole now seem indivisible. “If you’re too distracted listening at Birmingham’s to too many suggestions or players Edgbaston on June 4. ‘Calm’ or criticism, then you can’t focus A lone loss to “I know there are expectations, I on what you need to think as a Sri Lanka apart, know there are people that expect sportsman first to be able to lead the India have been in the team and me to do well every team and then help the others in the commanding form. time we play,” Kohli told reporters team as well. Pakistan’s Amir fit for Champions Trophy London occasion,” added Amir, now firmly back akistan fast bowler in the international fold after his career Mohammad Amir will was halted by a ban and jail sentence P play in the Champions for his part in a 2010 spot-fixing scam Trophy final against during a Test against England at Lord’s. arch-rivals India, coach Amir, who took two wickets, including Mickey Arthur said that of all-time batting great Sachin yesterday. Tendulkar, when Pakistan beat India Asked if Amir was fit at Centurion in the 2009 Champions and would play in today’s Trophy, starred with both bat and showpiece clash at the ball in Monday’s crucial group Amir, London ground, Arthur stage victory over Sri Lanka in however, has replied: “He’s fit to play, and Cardiff. once again become a he will play.” He took mainstay of the Pakistan Mohammad Amir The 25-year-old left- two for team since returning to armer missed Pakistan’s shock 53 in 10 the side early in 2016, eight-wicket semi-final win over overs as appearing in 47 of the tournament hosts England in Cardiff Sri Lanka team’s 57 matches across on Wednesday with a back spasm. were held to 236 all international formats But after bowling in the nets at the and then made an following his comeback. Oval on Friday, Amir said: “I am fast unbeaten 28 as he and Those two wickets against gaining fitness. Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed (61 not Sri Lanka have been his only “I bowled in the nets and felt no out) steered their side to a tense three- two of the tournament so far, discomfort and since we have one more wicket win with an unbroken stand of 75. however, albeit his economy rate day (to prepare) I hope the recovery But he was hardly missed on is a respectable 4.79. will be complete,” explained Amir, who Wednesday, with fellow left-arm After Friday’s practice, Pakistan Virat Kohli took none for 32 in Pakistan’s 124-run paceman Rumman Raees, making his bowling coach Azhar Mahmood defeat by India in the teams’ tournament one-day international debut, taking two said of Amir: “He bowled today opener at Edgbaston on June 4. for 44 as England were skittled out for without any problem whatsoever. “I look forward to playing as it’s a big just 211. (AFP).