Virat Kohli plays ODIs like he is playing Delhi local league: Ex-India star lauds batting maestro
A former India cricketer lauded Virat Kohli for his current form for India in ODIs after the batting maestro played a brilliant knock of 93 runs in the 1st ODI against New Zealand on Sunday.
Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif lauded India's batting maestro Virat Kohli after his brilliant 93-run knock in the 1st ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday. Kohli's 93, along with crucial knocks from the likes of skipper Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, helped India beat the Kiwis by 4 wickets in a thriller.
Kohli, who has been in red-hot form with the bat in ODIs, continued his purple patch in the ODI series opener with a seventh successive fifty-plus score in the format. Ever since making his comeback for India last year, Kohli has been piling on runs consistently in the fifty-over format and has been shattering records one game after another.
Kohli, who has already retired from Tests and T20Is, is focused on playing the 2027 ODI World Cup for India next year and has highlighted his importance to the current Indian batting line-up with his consistent performances. After his match-winning 93-run knock against the Kiwis on Sunday, Kaif took to social media to heap praise on the batting icon.
The former India batter said Kohli is playing ODIs like he is playing some local league in Delhi, while backing him to continue playing for India in the format beyond the 2027 World Cup. Kaif also made observations about Kohli's demeanour off the field and said the senior batter appears relaxed.
"Virat Kohli plays ODIs like he is playing Delhi local league. Looks relaxed, jokes with mates, always has a smile on his face. Takes a hard look at bowlers, plays aggressively but shows patience. If he continues like this, remains motivated, he can keep playing for India for the next 5-6 years," Kaif said in a post on X.
Virat Kohli becomes 2nd highest run-getter in international cricket
Kohli achieved a couple of milestones with his 93-run knock in the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday. The Indian batting maestro surpassed Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-getter in international cricket. He also became the third batter in the world to go past the 28,000-run mark in international cricket.
Kohli now has 28,068 runs in 557 matches across all three formats in international cricket with an average of 52.66 and a staggering 88 centuries and 146 fifties. He is only behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar on the elite list of batters with the most runs in international cricket.