Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra hailed Virat Kohli’s knock after Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched a comprehensive nine-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur on Sunday.
Chasing a below par score of 174 runs for the win, Kohli scored an unbeaten knock of 62 runs off 45 balls to continue his good form. The veteran batter scored four fours and two sixes in his crucial innings for RCB.
The RCB opener also added 92 runs with Phil Salt, who scored an attacking knock of 65 runs to lay down the foundation of the run-chase.
Chopra reckons Kohli doesn’t let his ego come in between and thus savors success at the top level.
“Virat Kohli – you have to complement each other. You move together, but you don’t need to be alike. I agree that everyone must hit when you are batting first and you feel the pitch is good, as even 245 runs are being chased these days. However, when you are chasing a 174-run target, Virat Kohli said he would play steadily if Phil Salt was hitting at the other end,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
This was Kohli’s 100 fifty in T20s as he became the first Asian batter to reach the glorious landmark.
“He doesn’t let ego come in between. The best thing I like about Virat Kohli’s cricket is that he keeps his ego aside when he comes to bat. He keeps in mind what he needs to do according to where his team needs to reach, that he would take his team right across the line. 100 T20 fifties, and he has also equaled David Warner in the IPL,” he added.
The renowned commentator praised Phil Salt for playing the aggressive knock at the top of the order. Salt smashed five fours and six maximums to kill the run-chase.
“Phil Salt – what a guy. I felt overseas batters would find it very difficult on a pitch where the ball was staying low and stopping slightly because they are not used to it. However, how good was he? His bat was firing after the last IPL, but it had stopped in the last two or three months,” he said.