Kohli nominates key Aussie threat

Captain Virat Kohli has called out Melbourne Stars allrounder Marcus Stoinis as India’s biggest threat in the Australian squad ahead of the two-match T20 international series.

Stoinis excelled for the BBL|08 runners-up, scoring 533 runs at 53.30 and claiming 14 wickets to cap off a season where he was named the Australian male ODI player of the year at the 2019 Australian Cricket Awards.

The 29-year-old will play alongside Kohli at Royal Challengers Bangalore this season having been traded by Kings XI Punjab, and his Indian Premier League skipper says he is the most dangerous player in the touring party.

"We obviously expect a stiff competition overall from the Australian team but if I had to single out one player that can make more impact that would be Marcus Stoinis," Kohli told reporters in Vizag today ahead of tomorrow's T20I.

"He's come around really well during the BBL and he's making standout performances on a consistent basis.

"You can see he's grown in confidence and he's definitely going to be a very important player for them."

Stoinis was a revelation at the top of the order for the Stars this summer, averaging 62 with a strike rate of more than 130 runs per hundred balls faced.

Unlike most opening batsmen, Stoinis tends to take his time early in his innings, summing up the conditions and match situation before unleashing once set.

He made 39 in the BBL final and his wicket sparked the epic collapse that saw the Stars lose from an imperious position to cross-town rivals the Renegades.

Stoinis was set to go head-to-head with India allrounder Hardik Pandya in the Qantas Tour of India before the Indian was ruled out with injury.

Former Australia opening batsman Matthew Hayden, who will be commentating the series in the subcontinent, was asked to compare Stoinis and Hardik.

Hayden said both were quality players but gave the edge to the Australian.

"Marcus Stoinis is developing into a world-class all-rounder," Hayden said.

"He is unlucky not to be playing a little bit more Test cricket. He has quality in his play, although Hardik is also a fine player.

"Stoinis has adopted a wider approach to his game which is winning matches for his country.

 "Hardik Pandya also has the same responsibility, but I think right now Stoinis is a better player."