Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu praised Virat Kohli’s knock in the series opener against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland on Wednesday. The visitors registered a comprehensive five-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Chasing a DLS target of 143 runs, Kohli scored more than half of the runs in the run-chase, scoring 74 runs off just 51 balls. The pitch had extra bounce and seam movement for the pacers but Kohli batted at the top of his game to score 13 fours and a six.
Rayudu highlighted that World’s no.1 batter Shubman Gill found it tough to get going as he scored 37 runs off 56 balls.
“As a batter, you know that the wicket was very, very tough to bat on. The World’s No. 1-ranked batter found it tough, and Virat Kohli showed what he is all about. It is amazing to bat like that in the first game of the series. I am sure Shubman Gill standing at the other end, even if he wanted to dominate the proceedings, I don’t think at the moment he could have, he would have watched the King bat and give it to him,” Ambati Rayudu said on Cricbuzz.
The former CSK batter reckons only two-three batters in the world can do what Virat Kohli did on a tricky surface.
“He showed off today, it is unbelievable. I think only 2 or 3 batters in the world can do that on this surface and he has every right to show off. This is a day he knows that he can show everyone what the difference or the gap is between him and all the others,” he added.
On the other hand, former Indian spinner Murali Kartik noted that all the batters found it tough to get going but Kohli batted at another level.
“When you look at the entire game, batters have found it difficult. The short ball has come into play, the opposition also used it, but it seemed as if our man was having a fun day there, because a 4th-fastest fifty, second-fastest outside home, it just gets better. He just did it so easily,” Murali Kartik said.
“He is one of those players who acclimatizes quickly to any condition around the world. That is the hallmark of a champion. The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Virat Kohli, they quickly adapt to the conditions on hand, and that is why they are so good. While the others were struggling, on a pitch like that, he has played some shots with aplomb,” he added.
The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at the Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Saturday.
