Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles admitted he’s a big admirer of Virat Kohli, after the India star played a decisive role as Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second consecutive win in the Indian Premier League. The night also swung in RCB’s favour thanks to Australian contributions, with pace bowler Josh Hazlewood making key strikes and Tim David providing late momentum in the chase of 156.
Key takeaways
- Richard Marles said he is a strong Virat Kohli fan after Kohli’s match-winning display for RCB.
- Josh Hazlewood took two wickets to help set up the win for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
- Tim David struck a cameo of 24 during RCB’s chase of 156.
- Marles described the combined impact of Australian and Indian players as a sign of broader cooperation beyond cricket.
- Speaking at the “Manobal” community event in New Delhi, Marles highlighted Kohli’s popularity in Australia and referenced Bishan Bedi.
- Kapil Dev was also present at the event, prompting Marles to call standing beside him a “thrill”.
RCB’s winning formula backed by Australian impact
Marles pointed to the way RCB’s success last night mirrored an Australian-Indian connection. He stressed that although Kohli produced the headline moment by finishing on 75 not out and earning the Player of the Match award, the win was also shaped by Hazlewood and David. In his view, the result underlined how players from both countries are able to complement each other in today’s game.
He referenced that his earlier visit had come the morning after the IPL final, and he drew a parallel with last night’s outcome as RCB once again emerged victorious. Marles framed the team’s performance as more than just cricketing entertainment—calling it a bilateral story in which Indian and Australian talent worked in tandem.
“Manobal” remarks link cricket passion with shared modern challenges
At a community event in New Delhi titled “Manobal”, Marles said Kohli is currently a major name in Australia. He also reached back to the history of Indian cricket, invoking former left-arm spinner Bishan Bedi to explain the long-standing connection the two nations share through the sport.
Marles said that for him, the first Indian cricket captain he remembers growing up was Bishan Bedi, placing the moment in the wider context of cricket’s shared legacy. He added that while Australians and Indians share passions like cricket, they also face common difficulties when it comes to how the modern world is being led.
Fanboy moment beside Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain, was present at the gathering as well. Marles described standing alongside the former India great as a personal thrill, and he suggested that the Australia-India relationship is at a high point. He concluded that the bond between the two countries is reflected through their shared enthusiasm for cricket and for life in general.
